- Safiu Kehinde
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has trolled Arise TV presenter, Oseni Rufai, over his criticism of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Umahi had, in a quick jibe at the popular Nigerian journalist while addressing newsmen during an end-of-the-year press briefing on Wednesday, claimed that Rufai is making himself cheap with his criticism of the government.
Reflecting on his infamous heated verbal clash with Rufai on live programme in October, Umahi held that the journalist sees nothing good about the current administration.
The Minister who described himself as a ‘Professor of Infrastructure’ however Rufai to reconcile with him so he can lecture him on infrastructural technicalities.
“If you criticise us constructively, I will provide you the answer. Rufai doesn’t see anything good with our government.
“The more you don’t see anything good with our government, then you are making yourself cheap because if two plus two gives you four and you are saying three. shouting, flexing muscles, and wasting a lot of energy to counter a Professor of Infrastructure, then is a problem.
“I think that he should make haste to reconcile with me so that the shortcomings in terms of infrastructural technicalities will be hidden. When I’m going to appear, I will let him know and I will lecture him ahead of time.” He said.
NPO Reported that the duo had in October engaged in heated argument over the cost of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway construction project.
Umahi had in the live programme shunned the journalist who demanded to know the cost per kilometre of the highway.
The argument began after Rufai accused Umahi of reporting him to President Bola Tinubu.
In reaction, the Minister of Works held that the journalist is too small for him to report to the President.
“You’re too small for me to report you to the President. Who are you? Who are you for me to report you?” The visibly enraged former Ebonyi state governor had said.
Rufai however claimed to have evidence of the Minister reporting him to the President while insisting on his demand for the cost of the highway per kilometre.
“Minister let me speak. I have empirical evidence. The world watched it on the commissioning of the project where you mentioned the questions I asked you to the President. That was reporting me to the President officially.
“I don’t talk without facts. When I have my facts, I talk.” the Arise TV presenter replied as Umahi interrupted him, stressing that the journalist has no idea of what he is demanding.
“I don’t have your time because you don’t know what you are speaking. I don’t know what your profession is.” Umahi said.
Rufai however reiterated his demand to the Minister’s answer to his question.