Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has publicly challenged Arise TV anchor and ex-presidential spokesperson Dr. Reuben Abati to a physical confrontation, following what he called insulting and false comments made during a recent television broadcast.
The fiery exchange started after Abati made a controversial remark on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, questioning former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The question, which seemed to suggest that Okowa needed Oshiomhole’s “permission” for forgiveness before switching parties, struck a nerve with the senator.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Oshiomhole reacted strongly to the comment, saying, “I was particularly shocked that a senior editor could ask the immediate past governor of Delta state, Okowa, mischievously, I must say, with all due respect, ‘did you get permission from Oshiomhole that your sins will now be forgiven before you decided to decamp to APC?’”
The former Edo State governor and one-time president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) noted that it was absurd for Abati to imply he had such influence or authority within the APC structure. “How can you ask that? What is my status? I am in the legislature. Is the legislature responsible for the prosecution of anyone wrong in any way?” he asked.
Although he didn’t mention Abati directly during the interview, the references made to the journalist’s history and former government role left little room for doubt.
Oshiomhole also recalled Abati’s past troubles with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “The man who made that statement was at a time invited by the EFCC after he was Jonathan’s spokesman, shamelessly. Thereafter, EFCC arrested him. Was I the one who granted him bail to leave PDP to go where he is?” he stated.
The senator accused Abati of deliberately ignoring his history with the labour movement, especially his active role during May Day rallies. “Even on Labour Day, he was saying some labour leaders who had been involved in picketing and fought for workers; he could not even credit me with the fact that I led the protest. This is a guy who wrote ‘Oshiomhole the people’s president’ when I was president of the NLC,” he added.
Oshiomhole went on to criticize what he described as personal bias from Abati, linking it to his failed political ambitions in Ogun State. “If you are angry because you wanted to be a deputy governor and you lost an election in Ogun state, is that the reason you are paranoid, that every opportunity you want to abuse me?” he asked.
He then concluded with a challenge that raised eyebrows: “If you want to abuse me, don’t hide behind the TV; let’s meet in the street and fight it out.”
Abati had contested as the deputy gubernatorial candidate alongside the late Buruji Kashamu in the 2019 Ogun State election under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but the ticket lost to APC’s Dapo Abiodun.
