Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Director, All Progressives Congress (APC) New Media Directorate, Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah has asked the Arise Television to pay its governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the September 21 governorship election the whooping sum of $1 million for him to appear on its station for debate.
This was contained in statement titled “APC New Media Campaign Council Responds to Rufai Oseni and Arise TV’s Misleading Narrative” signed by its Director, All Progressives Congress (APC) New Media Directorate, Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah and circulated on the various social media platforms.
According to the statement “If Arise TV and Rufai Oseni are so eager to have Senator Okpebholo on their platform, perhaps they should consider compensating him with a sum of $1 million.
“Only then might he entertain the notion of subjecting himself to what we can only describe as an act of media bullying.
“The integrity and principles of our candidate are not for sale, but such an offer might at least demonstrate a seriousness on their part that has thus far been sorely lacking”.
The statement faulted Mr. Rufai Oseni for using a misleading infographic depicting the APC governorship candidate as “running” from an interview.
“The APC New Media Directorate strongly condemns the recent actions and statements by Arise TV anchor, Rufai Oseni, and the station’s portrayal of our candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, through a misleading infographic depicting him as “running” from an interview. This deliberate attempt to smear Senator Okpebholo’s reputation is not only unprofessional but reeks of a biased agenda designed to belittle our candidate.
“Let us make it clear: Senator Okpebholo has no obligation to grant an interview to a platform that has already shown its hand in trying to ridicule him.
“Rufai Oseni’s claim that his invitation to our candidate is being “politicized” is nothing but a diversion from the real issue—his lack of impartiality and professional ethics.
“Rufai Oseni has compared Senator Okpebholo’s decision to decline an interview with Arise TV to other candidates who have appeared on the station.
“However, the circumstances are different. We cannot ignore the fact that Oseni’s tone and approach have consistently been confrontational when addressing issues related to the APC.
“It is therefore not surprising that Senator Okpebholo would choose to avoid an interview that seems to have been set up as a trap rather than an opportunity for genuine discourse”, the statement said.
The APC New Media Directorate further advised Mr. to revisit the ethics of journalism and desist from what he tagged an attempt to bullying the party’s candidate.
“We advise Rufai Oseni to revisit the ethics of his profession and refrain from further attempts to manipulate public perception for personal or political gain. His assertion that interviewing the APC candidate is “no big deal” is an understatement; it is a big deal when the interviewer is already seen as biased and partial.
“To the general public, we urge caution in consuming content from media outlets that prioritize sensationalism over substance. Senator Monday Okpebholo continues to engage with the people of Edo State directly, sharing his vision and policies for the future. He will not be deterred by attempts to undermine his campaign through media antics”, the statement added.