Rufai Oseni’s recent exchange with Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Arise TV has sparked a national debate on leadership accountability and the role of the press in governance. What started as a routine question about the cost per kilometre of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway quickly escalated into a revealing moment about how power often reacts to scrutiny in Nigeria.
Umahi’s inability—or unwillingness—to provide a clear answer to Oseni’s question raised concerns about transparency in public spending. Instead of addressing the issue directly, the Minister deflected, boasting about his credentials and dismissing the journalist’s inquiry. That moment captured a long-standing tension between government officials and the press: one side demanding accountability, the other expecting deference.
For many Nigerians, the exchange symbolised something deeper. It reminded the public that asking questions about public projects is not disrespect—it’s a democratic duty. Journalists represent the citizens, and every unanswered question is a missed opportunity for government to build trust.
David Umahi’s tenure as governor of Ebonyi State was marked by both ambition and controversy. His infrastructural projects drew praise in some quarters but criticism in others for their cost and execution. The Arise TV interview now puts his leadership style under renewed public scrutiny, especially in his new role overseeing national infrastructure.
Rather than viewing the media as adversaries, public officials should see interviews like this as a chance to clarify, educate, and strengthen public confidence. Accountability is not an attack—it’s the oxygen of democracy. The sooner Nigeria’s political class realises this, the better for the nation’s future.
