Rufai Oseni Responds to Lere Olayinka After Interview Drama, Says He Will Remain “Gloriously, Stubbornly Unreasonable”
Rufai Oseni has responded to Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, following the drama surrounding his interview yesterday.
In a strongly worded piece titled “The Unreasonable Rufai Oseni,” Valentine Obienyem defended the journalist against those who have described him as “unreasonable.”
Obienyem argued that Rufai’s refusal to surrender his questions, scepticism or microphone should not be mistaken for unreasonableness.
“To call a man unreasonable merely because he will not surrender his questions, his scepticism, or his microphone is to confuse obedience with reason.”
He described Rufai as “that flickering, desperate hope of millions who still dare to believe that the Nigerian conscience has not been completely knocked down to the highest bidder.”
Obienyem compared Rufai to Diogenes, the ancient Greek philosopher who challenged powerful figures, and Cato the Younger, known for his uncompromising opposition to corruption.
“He asks the forbidden question. He seeks empirical data and evidence. He dissects the official lie.”
He also questioned whether journalists should soften their questions simply because those in power are offended.
“Should the journalist soften his tone because the minister is sensitive or feels offended? Should he temper his inquiries because power has thin skin?”
He concluded by embracing the “unreasonable” label for Rufai, saying Nigeria needs people willing to challenge the status quo.
“If being ‘reasonable’ requires silence in the presence of national decay, let Rufai remain unreasonable.”
“If it means bartering honour for bread, let him remain gloriously, stubbornly unreasonable.”
He added: “When the world around you loses its mind, the man who clings to reason will always look mad.”
