A heated exchange erupted on Monday between Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni and President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson Daniel Bwala, following reports claiming that the broadcaster had been suspended.
Rufai, who returned to the Morning Show after a brief break, used Monday’s live programme to debunk the rumour and pointed fingers at Bwala for fueling the claim.
“Bwala wants one of my Meta glasses. I can give him one,” Rufai said on air. “A government official woke up on Monday morning and alleged that I was suspended. And like I always ask Bwala—he should provide my suspension letter. If he doesn’t provide it, it’s an indictment on this government that its spokesperson lies. So, President Tinubu, tell Bwala to provide my suspension letter.”
The remark prompted an immediate reaction from Bwala, who took to X to fire back at the media host.
“My attention was drawn to a jibe by an adult toddler, @ruffydfire, saying I went to their station when he was not around,” Bwala wrote. “First of all, I want to congratulate you for showing off a Meta glass you bought or DEM dash you during your break or alleged suspension.”
Bwala explained that his visit to Lagos was part of a general media tour, insisting that Rufai could have interviewed him if not for what he described as an “alleged suspension.”
“During this period, you have been in Lagos (maybe your alleged suspension included prohibition from traveling out of Lagos), and your producer could have recalled you from alleged suspension to attend my interview,” he wrote.
Escalating the confrontation, Bwala suggested that Rufai’s criticism was an indirect slight at his fellow anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati, before issuing a direct challenge.
“Rufai, you have a studio in Abuja—fly in, and let’s borrow Prime Time from Charles and do the interview, man to man. I challenge the chairman to make that happen. I am waiting, fast, fast, fast!” he added.
The online spat has since gained traction across social media, with Nigerians reacting to the escalating tensions between the journalist and the presidential spokesperson.