Arise TV Anchor Applauds Naval Officer in Wike Confrontation
Arise Television's prominent anchor Rufai Oseni has entered the ongoing discussion surrounding the viral confrontation between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer, commending the military man's exceptional composure during the heated exchange.
The broadcaster used his official X (formerly Twitter) platform on Tuesday to express admiration for the officer who maintained his professionalism while Minister Wike reportedly shouted at him during the incident that occurred on November 11.
"Power Met Principle" in Tense Exchange
According to Oseni's detailed account of the encounter, Minister Wike allegedly called the officer a "fool," to which the naval officer calmly responded, "I'm not a fool, sir. I have integrity." Oseni noted that this single statement effectively ended the argument.
In his social media post, the Arise TV co-host wrote: "That officer deserves a national award. Calm, firm, and collected while Wike was busy behaving like a TikTok skit maker."
Oseni emphasized the striking contrast between both men's behavior during the confrontation. "The man stood tall, kept his men in order, and showed what real discipline looks like," he observed. "In that moment, Wike went low and the officer went high. Power met principle. One was shouting 'Do you know who I am?' The other was quietly showing who he truly is."
Similar Pattern to Previous Ministerial Encounters
The experienced broadcaster drew parallels between Wike's reaction and his own previous encounter with Works Minister Dave Umahi during an Arise TV interview. Oseni noted that both ministers resorted to what he described as the "classic 'big man' defense line" of referencing their seniority and experience.
"The same playbook Umahi used on Rufai Oseni," he remarked, adding that "Age has become their last remaining certificate" when confronted with challenging situations.
Nigerians Divided in Social Media Reactions
Oseni's commentary has sparked widespread discussion across Nigerian social media platforms, with citizens expressing diverse opinions about the incident.
While many users supported Oseni's position, praising the officer's civility and restraint, others questioned the broader context of the confrontation. Some commentators raised concerns about whether military personnel should be involved in land guard duties rather than national defense operations.
The confrontation reportedly stemmed from an unauthorized building project allegedly linked to former naval chief Awwal Zubairu Gambo. Minister Wike visited the disputed site in Abuja after consulting with the Chief of Defence Staff, leading to the tense exchange that was captured on video.
The Defence Headquarters subsequently posted a cryptic message on social media stating "Unshaken, unbent, unbroken," which many interpreted as indirect commentary on the incident.
