Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) has invited former presidential spokesperson and co-host of Arise Television’s breakfast show, Reuben Abati, to settle their differences with a physical confrontation.
Oshiomhole’s reaction comes in response to what he described as “mischievous” comments by Abati during a recent broadcast.
During an appearance on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television on Tuesday, the former Edo Governor criticized Abati for his line of questioning directed at Ifeanyi Okowa, the immediate past governor of Delta State.
He said: “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?’”
He questioned why Abati would suggest he had any influence over Okowa’s political decisions, stressing that his role as a legislator does not give him prosecutorial powers.
“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 went on to reference Abati’s past encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), noting his arrest after his tenure as spokesperson for former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“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.
He also expressed displeasure at what he perceived as a deliberate attempt by Abati to downplay his role in labour activism, especially during the recent Labour Day discussions.
“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.
He concluded with a direct message to Abati, suggesting they resolve their issues face-to-face.
“Rather than crediting me with that, he said when they leave NLC, they now go and become governors,” Oshiomhole 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.