Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, has
publicly challenged Reuben Abati — former presidential spokesperson and the
co-host of Arise Television’s breakfast show — to a physical showdown.
Oshiomhole’s challenge is a response to what he described as
“mischievous” questioning by Abati during a recent television
segment.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Politics Today, a
Channels Television programme, Oshiomhole expressed shock at Abati’s line of
questioning directed at Ifeanyi Okowa, immediate past governor of Delta state,
in a recent programme.
“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?'” Oshiomhole said.
The former governor of Edo criticised Abati for what he
perceived as an attempt to link him to the political decisions of others.
“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?” Oshiomhole questioned.
Oshiomhole also referenced Abati’s past, mentioning his
arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after serving as
a spokesperson for former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“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 added.
The senator also took issue with Abati’s comments on Labour
Day, where he felt the senior journalist failed to acknowledge his
contributions to labour movements.
“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,” Oshiomhole said.
He said if Abati wished to continue his criticisms, they
should do so in person.
“Rather than crediting me with that, he said when they leave
NLC, they now go and become governors.” Oshiomhole said
“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,
using every opportunity to abuse me? If you want to abuse me, don’t hide behind
the TV; let’s meet in the street and fight it out.”
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