A close and respected friend had asked this question below, concerning the now viral television interview encounter between Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni:
“How do you describe someone who invites you to his own space for a dialogue but decided to be rude and disrespectful all in the name of being a fearless journalist?”
My response to him and countless others like him whom I have read their comments, particularly on social media, is this; did you watch the same interview that I watched? If the same interview, then, point of correction; David Umahi requested to be there, not invited, and his request graciously granted.
Secondly, you said he came for a “dialogue”. Wrong again.
From evidence provided of that broadcast, now readily available in the public domain, the Minister didn’t go to Arise TV for a dialogue but a monologue, where he assumed he had the prerogative of monopolizing an interview which is supposed to be a function of give and take; I ask the questions, and you provide the answers.
Thirdly, you said Rufai was rude and disrespectful. How? And in what manner or precise words spoken by him and addressed to Umahi can rudeness and disrespect be implied?
I have read and heard several comments from people who said Rufai was rude and disrespectful because he told the Minister to “Keep quiet”.
They are wrong; both in conclusion and contextualization.
“Keep quiet”, as a two-word, full sentence, delivered as a stand alone and not part of a longer sentence, is a command and an order demanding obedience from the person so addressed by that command. In other words, a strong admonition and warning to stop talking IMMEDIATELY.
Were Rufai Oseni’s words to Minister David Umahi delivered as a two-word, full sentence of stern command? Evidence available says, NO. If he had indeed addressed the Minister in this manner, “Keep quiet”, he would indeed be guilty of rudeness and disrespect.
But what were Rufai Oseni’s exact and precise words to David Umahi, which many have run on to social media with, accusing him of rudeness and disrespect?
Oseni: “If you can just keep quiet and be calm, and just allow me to speak, I’ll be happy”
Was this rudeness? In my dictionary; No. It was a polite and respectful request, directed especially to a man who presumably had come for a dialogue but had actually come combative; aggressively, condescendingly, and rudely monopolizing the conversation for over ten minutes without allowing the one who is charged with posing the questions to put in even sixty seconds of words
What arrant nonsense!
Since when did an interview translate to a one-man, one-directional monopoly of public engagement?
Even after Rufai had asked politely several times to be allowed to speak, and even complained, facing the camera saying, “Minister will not allow me to speak, Minister will not allow me to speak”, that arrogant fellow employed by the public purse still continued ranting, not willing to let the man do his job.
If he wanted a platform all to himself without having any journalists questioning him, all he needed to do was arrange a press conference, read a prepared statement, distribute same to the journalists and media stations paid to cover it, and then depart immediately afterwards without answering any questions.
It is the sad and unfortunate position of people who, rather than condemn the arrogant, haughty, and disrespectful attitudes of public servants who believe they are beyond being questioned, but would instead turn around and lambast journalists who have the courage of asking the hard questions, that give public servants like Umahi who have transformed themselves into the public’s Masters, the arrogance and audacity to continue in their annoying and insulting belligerence towards their employers, the public, as ably represented by one of the finest breeds in journalism today.
Rufai Oseni refuses to be cowed, to be enticed by brown envelopes and brandished opportunities in the corridors of power, but continues to stand stoutly and bravely, asking the hard questions and demanding the answers on behalf of all of us, the voiceless majority.
Anyone accusing him of rudeness and disrespect towards David Umahi in that interview definitely watched it with a biased, preconceived, and jaundiced mind.
The views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of Law & Society Magazine.
