Clarion Newschannel – January 1, 2026
A powerful opinion piece has emerged defending Arise TV anchors Dr. Reuben Abati and Rufai Oseni amid backlash over their critical commentary on Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
The article, titled “In Defence of Truth; Abati, Rufai, and the Burden of Honest Commentary,” praises the duo for their forthright assessments during recent episodes of Arise TV’s morning show.
It argues that any fair-minded viewer would recognize Dr. Abati’s analyses as rooted in reason, experience, and insight into Nigeria’s political landscape.
Highlighting Abati’s distinguished career—from his origins in print journalism emphasizing fact-checking and intellectual rigor to his successful shift to broadcast media—the piece notes his reputation for incisive questioning and refusal to defer to authority.
It also underscores his credible public service as spokesperson to former President Goodluck Jonathan, marked by diligence during a turbulent era and rewarded with an official commendation letter.
The commentary suggests that discomfort sparked by Abati’s sharp, factual critiques of Wike reflects evasion rather than substantive rebuttal, with personal attacks aimed at sidestepping the core arguments.
Regarding Abati’s past political involvement as PDP deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State, the piece describes it as conducted with decorum and intellectual focus, dismissing recurring links to the late Buruji Kashamu as lazy allegations, noting that politics involves alliances, not perfection.
It further condemns efforts to undermine Rufai Oseni through personal insults and body shaming, asserting that his physical appearance is irrelevant to his analytical validity and that such tactics reveal a lack of strong counterarguments.
Oseni is lauded for his courage, professionalism, and persistence in posing tough questions.
The piece frames the broader issue as the vital role of accountable journalism in Nigeria’s democracy, stating the country needs power interrogators, not cheerleaders.
It calls for contesting ideas with superior arguments, warning that reducing discourse to insults erodes public debate.
Ultimately, it urges Nigerians to defend credible journalism and spaces for fearless truth-telling, emphasizing that democracy thrives on principled dissent, not silence.
Defending Honest Journalism: Stand with Abati and Rufai Against Personal Attacks
