ARISE News’ The Morning Show on Friday, September 4, 2026, abruptly ended a live interview with Lere Olayinka, media aide to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, after he declined to answer questions from co-anchor Rufai Oseni.

The interview was being conducted as a “Right of Reply” over Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid when the disagreement occurred.

Olayinka Refuses To Answer Oseni

Olayinka, who joined the programme from the Abuja Broadcast Centre, objected when Oseni began directing questions at him.

He said he did not want to answer Oseni’s questions and insisted that the discussion should involve “reasonable human beings” who would not describe other people as “Gbewudani.”

The remark appeared to reference a previous on-air comment by Oseni that had attracted criticism and prompted fellow anchor Reuben Abati to caution him over his choice of words.

ARISE Anchor Ends Interview

Another anchor on the programme, identified in reports as Ayo Mairo-Ese, told Olayinka that The Morning Show has three anchors and that the interview could not continue if he refused to respond to Oseni.

The station subsequently thanked Olayinka for appearing on the programme before ending the interview and taking him off air.

Exchange Triggers Online Reactions

Clips of the exchange quickly circulated on social media, with viewers divided over the incident.

Some criticised Olayinka for refusing to engage one of the programme’s hosts, while others pointed to the existing tension between Olayinka and Oseni and the recent controversy over language used during the programme.

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala also weighed in, defending Olayinka and accusing the anchors of pushing particular political narratives. He praised the Wike aide for challenging the interviewers.

Wike’s 2027 Support At Centre Of Interview

The interview was focused on Wike’s support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Olayinka’s refusal to take questions from Oseni, however, shifted attention from the political issue to the confrontation between the guest and the anchor.

Neither ARISE News nor Olayinka had issued a separate official statement on the incident as of the time of reporting. The episode adds to a series of tense exchanges involving Rufai Oseni and political figures or their representatives on The Morning Show.