Yul Edochie Slams Arise TV Anchor Rufai Oseni Over Interview Style and Past BRT Incident
Nigerian actor Yul Edochie has sparked fresh controversy online after criticising television journalist Rufai Oseni, an anchor with Arise News, over what he described as disrespectful conduct toward guests during live interviews.
In a video that has circulated widely on social media platforms, the Nollywood actor questioned Oseni’s credibility in challenging political figures on national television. Edochie referenced a past traffic incident in Lagos in which Oseni was reportedly confronted by authorities for driving in a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.
According to Edochie, the broadcaster initially reacted defensively when confronted by traffic officials.
“Is this not the same Rufai Oseni that was caught driving on a BRT lane?” Edochie said in the video.
The actor further alleged that Oseni invoked his status and threatened to call the governor of Lagos State during the confrontation before eventually issuing an apology after a video of the incident surfaced online.
“When officials caught you, instead of apologising, you were shouting ‘Do you know who I am? I’m going to call the governor of Lagos State,’” Edochie claimed.
He argued that the apology that later followed might not have occurred if the incident had not been captured on camera.
“If not because somebody had a video, you could not even apologise. If there was no video, what would have happened?” he asked.
Beyond the traffic incident, Edochie also criticised what he described as Oseni’s confrontational interview style on television. According to the actor, the Arise TV presenter often creates uncomfortable situations for guests appearing on his programme.
Edochie argued that journalists should make efforts to maintain a respectful atmosphere during interviews, even when questioning public officials.
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“How can you invite somebody and make the guest uncomfortable?” he asked.
“If a guest is not comfortable, the first thing you do is apologise and make the guest feel at ease. How can you tell a guest that if they’re not comfortable, they are free to walk out of the studio?”
The actor went further to accuse Oseni of insulting guests during live broadcasts, claiming that such behaviour undermines professional journalism standards.
“You are insulting people on national TV. You’re a very disrespectful person. That is not journalism,” Edochie said.
During the video, Edochie also used the opportunity to defend Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging critics to show respect for the office of the president regardless of political differences.
“Jagaban President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the President of Nigeria whether you like it or not. He is our President. You must respect him,” Edochie stated.
He also called for patience with the current administration, arguing that the government should be given more time to implement its policies.
“The man just came in. Give him time. Rome was not built in a day,” he said.
The remarks have triggered mixed reactions online, with supporters of Oseni arguing that his style reflects a form of aggressive accountability journalism designed to challenge political leaders and demand clear answers from them.
Others, however, believe that the tone used during certain interviews can sometimes cross the line into hostility, potentially discouraging guests from participating in political discussions on live television.
The debate surrounding Oseni’s interview approach is not new. As one of the most prominent hosts on Arise News’ morning programme, the journalist has built a reputation for conducting sharp, probing interviews with politicians, analysts, and public officials.
Supporters say such questioning is necessary in a democracy where journalists are expected to hold leaders accountable. Critics, however, argue that the style can sometimes appear confrontational rather than investigative.
Edochie’s comments have now added another layer to the ongoing conversation about the balance between tough questioning and professional decorum in Nigerian broadcast journalism.
As the video continues to circulate widely across social media platforms, it remains unclear whether Oseni or Arise News will issue any formal response to the actor’s claims.