Senator Adams Oshiomhole has issued a fiery challenge to broadcaster and former presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, daring him to a physical confrontation over remarks made during a recent Arise TV broadcast.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District and is a former Governor of Edo State, reacted strongly to what he termed a “mischievous” question posed by Abati to former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former labour leader expressed outrage that Abati implied he had authority to “forgive sins” within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I was shocked that a senior editor could ask, ‘Did you get permission from Oshiomhole before decamping to the APC?’ What kind of question is that? I am in the legislature. I don’t prosecute anybody,” he stated.
Although he refrained from naming Abati outright, his remarks clearly targeted the veteran journalist. Oshiomhole went further to reference Abati’s past arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after serving as President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesperson.
“The same man was invited and arrested by EFCC. Did I grant him bail or ask him to defect from PDP?” Oshiomhole quipped.
He also accused Abati of deliberately ignoring his labour activism legacy, especially during Labour Day tributes. “This is a man who once wrote an article titled Oshiomhole, the People’s President. Now he acts like I did nothing,” the senator added.
In a scathing conclusion, Oshiomhole addressed what he claimed was Abati’s lingering bitterness from the 2019 Ogun State governorship election, in which Abati, as the PDP deputy governorship candidate, lost to APC’s Dapo Abiodun.
“If you are angry because you lost that election, don’t hide behind a microphone. Let’s meet in the street and fight it out,” Oshiomhole declared.
