The lawmaker representing Edo North at the national assembly, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has issued a challenge to Reuben Abati, former presidential aide, over what he termed as “mischievous” questions posed during a recent TV appearance.
While speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said he was surprised by a statement Abati made to former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Arise Television, suggesting Okowa needed Oshiomhole’s permission to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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.
He rebuked the implication that he played a gatekeeping role in the decisions of other politicians.
“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?” he asked.
Oshiomhole also brought up Abati’s history with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), questioning the journalist’s moral standing.
“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.
On Abati’s Labour Day commentary, Oshiomhole took exception to the broadcaster’s failure to mention his role in Nigeria’s labour movement.
“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.
Oshiomhole did not mince words, suggesting Abati take his grievances off-screen.
“Rather than crediting me with that, he said when they leave NLC, they now go and become governors,” he 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.”