On-air drama as Wike’s aide refuses to answer Rufai’s question, Arise News ends interview

An interview involving Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, was cut short on Arise News after he refused to respond to questions from journalist Rufai Oseni.

The exchange occurred during the station’s Morning Show while the panel was discussing corruption allegations, political weaponisation of investigations and Wike’s defence of individuals facing investigations by anti-corruption agencies.

After Rufai asked Olayinka why corruption investigations were allegedly being used as political weapons against some politicians while similar issues involving members of the governing All Progressives Congress were treated differently, Olayinka declined to take the question.

“I’m very sorry to say this, Oseni Rufai. I don’t want to answer any question from you,” Olayinka said.

He said he preferred the discussion to remain between him and the other presenters on the programme.

“I want to concentrate. I want this conversation to be among these normal human beings. People who will not come and tell, who will not come and describe other people as gbewudani,” he added.

Rufai’s co-anchor Ayo Mario-Ese immediately objected to Olayinka’s position, saying the programme took exception to his refusal to engage one of its presenters.

“Mr. Olayinka, we take exception to that,” the anchor said.

Olayinka, however, reiterated his position.

“I am not answering question from Oseni Rufai,” he said.

The anchor then reminded Olayinka that he was appearing on a programme presented by three anchors and was expected to engage with all of them.

“When you were coming to this interview on the morning show, I’m sure that you were aware that there are three anchors on the show,” the presenter said.

Ayo subsequently ended the interview after Olayinka maintained that he would not answer Rufai’s questions.

“But no more questions since you say you do not want to answer. We thank you very much for your time with us this morning and hopefully see you again when you’re ready to speak to the three of us,” the presenter said.

The programme then brought the interview to an end, following the on-air disagreement over Olayinka’s refusal to respond to Rufai.