Oseni vs Lere: ‘Missed opportunity, shameful – Sam Amadi, Osuntokun slams Wike’s aide
Political Analysts Critique Olayinka’s Performance During Arise TV Interview
Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, along with Akin Osuntokun, Political Director of Arise News, expressed concern over Lere Olayinka’s recent television appearance. Olayinka, Spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, has been criticized for failing to adhere to his principles during a contentious interview on Arise TV.
The situation unfolded during an interview on “The Morning Show” when Olayinka abruptly ended the discussion after a verbal dispute with host Rufai Oseni. This incident occurred after Oseni questioned Olayinka about Wike’s stance on the controversy surrounding members of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council.
Olayinka’s refusal to answer questions posed by Oseni raised questions about his professionalism. He stated that he preferred discussions to be held between “reasonable human beings,” implying that he deemed Oseni unworthy of dialogue.
Ayo Mairo, an anchor on the show, countered Olayinka’s claims, asserting that Oseni is a legitimate journalist who should be respected in that role. Mairo emphasized that Olayinka should have prepared to engage with all questions before accepting the interview invitation.
In response to the incident, Amadi commented on Arise News, reminding Olayinka that media appearances serve a larger purpose. “You are speaking to a much larger audience,” Amadi noted. “Missing the opportunity to communicate your message and instead using the platform to throw tantrums only exposes the weakness of the person speaking for the government.” He further stressed the importance of respecting the dignity of interviewers.
Amadi added that media professionals should aim to facilitate public understanding rather than becoming adversarial. He characterized Olayinka’s performance as disappointing and suggested that both parties could have approached the situation more tactfully.
Osuntokun echoed similar sentiments, stating that Olayinka’s approach set a negative precedent for himself. He remarked, “Lere Olayinka was under no compulsion to speak or answer. However, the manner in which he spoke was unfortunate and did little to strengthen his position.”
Both analysts agreed that the exchange reflects challenges in political communication and the necessity for public officials to engage constructively with the media.
