A heated on-air confrontation erupted on Tuesday between Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Arise Television co-host, Rufai Oseni, during The Morning Show.
Gatekeepers News reports that the exchange quickly turned tense after Oseni accused the minister of reporting him to President Bola Tinubu over his previous criticisms of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.
“After you have gone to report me to President Tinubu and said all sorts; I’m not beholden to you,” Oseni said.
“I have empirical evidence — the world watched when you mentioned the questions I asked you to the President. That was reporting me officially.”
Umahi, visibly irritated, dismissed the claim and fired back:
“You are too small for me to report to the President. Stop saying I reported you to the President, you’re too small,” he said.
Tensions escalated further when Oseni attempted to press the minister on technical aspects of the controversial highway project. Umahi cut him off sharply, saying:
“Keep quiet and stop saying what you don’t know. I’m a professor in this field. You don’t understand anything.”
The minister continued, asserting that Oseni lacked the expertise to engage him on engineering matters.
“I can’t always address you on forums like this; I don’t have your time. I understand engineering very well — you have no knowledge of what you’re asking,” Umahi added.
In an effort to de-escalate, Oseni responded calmly:
“Minister, it’s alright. Keep dignifying yourself, and let the world know who you truly are.”
The fiery exchange has since gone viral on social media, sparking debates over professionalism, public accountability, and the tone of government-media interactions.
