₦airaland Forum

When a minister tells a journalist “you are too small” to warrant reporting to the president, we are no longer in the realm of public service; we are witnessing imperial posturing. Such was the spectacle on The Morning Show on Tuesday, when Minister of Works, David Umahi, and co-host Rufai Oseni clashed over questions about the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

Umahi’s statement: “You are too small for me to report to the president. Stop saying I reported you to the President”, was not just crude, it exposes the mindset of President Bola Tinubu's ministers, that they serve the cabinet, not the people. Umahi was simply telling Oseni that questioning him is beneath the journalist. This is dangerous. It offends the principle of accountability. It erodes the terrain of public discourse. And it reveals the arrogance of power unchecked.

But Umahi is not an outlier. He is, rather, symptomatic of a pattern we see elsewhere, especially around Nyesom Wike. In fact, the very idea that a minister might believe he is exempt from tough questions or public scrutiny has become an unspoken entitlement in some quarters of the Tinubu administration.

Just months ago, Umahi famously walked out on journalists covering a press briefing. According to Punch, he stormed out of the ministry’s conference room, declared “there is no press here,” and left reporters bewildered, demanding that his staff move on with the meeting without media presence.

Vanguard also documented the incident saying Umahi arrived 52 minutes late, abruptly declared the press conference could not hold, and left journalists without explanation.

Then there is Wike, a man who, in his past as governor, has shown flashes of muscular politics, and now as FCT minister seems determined to replicate those traits in Abuja.
Reports from Daily Trust indicate that Wike’s revocations of land allocations in the FCT have continued unabated.

A more serious concern is the case of Hassan Mairiga, a staff of the FCDA who was accused of leaking documents implicating Wike’s land allocations to his sons. Mairiga was queried and reportedly held despite claims he merely exposed alleged wrongdoing.

Taken together, the incidents involving Umahi and Wike reveal a pattern. Certain ministers seem to believe their office places them above scrutiny, criticism, or justified questioning. They act as though they are princes in a court, not public servants in a democracy.

This arrogance is especially perilous because it signals to subordinates, institutions, and the public that the rules apply only to ordinary citizens, never to the powerful. It marginalises journalists, silences dissent, and corrodes institutional integrity.

Tinubu, in appointing individuals of such temperament, implicitly allowed ego to masquerade as capability. He must bear responsibility for maintaining a cabinet that is answerable and accountable, not one comprised of untouchables.

True public service must be open to interrogation. Ministers should welcome press conferences, town halls, question time, and ethics checks. They should not denounce journalists as “too small” or “ignorant.” They should not enforce silence but permit dissent. They should behave like guardians, not overlords.

Ministerial appointments are not sinecures; they are mandates. And mandates must always remain revocable by the court of public opinion, institutional oversight, or presidential correction.

Therefore, if Umahi or Wike truly believe they are “too significant” to be questioned, then they are unfit to hold public office. Tinubu should either ask them to resign or dismiss them before they cause deeper damage to his presidency and to Nigeria’s democratic culture.

Because at the end of the day, those who control public funds and the space of public discourse must be accountable. And Nigeria’s corporate memory should never forget the day its ministers decided they were emperors.


Ogunyemi, a public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos.

Lifestone:
Was Oseni not rude with his arrogant posturing? Being an online personality and asking hard questions does not say Rufai should not to be polite to his guests. Seun Osinbaloye's questions are probably tougher.
Umahi was already a successful Engineer before Rufai finish secondary school, he was a former Governor and much Older than him. You can ask your questions without arrogance and rudeness.
I watch that program and was really piss off at Oseni, I completely agree with how Umahi handled him. Next time, Umahi should send his SA on media to answer Oseni questions.
Being an anchor person does not put the two of them at the same level

amazingspiderma:
Oseni was asking simple questions.
What has that got to do with when Umahi finished school or not.


It is this type of mentality that make you think other people don't have capacity.

Lifestone:
Was Oseni not rude with his arrogant posturing? Being an online personality and asking hard questions does not say Rufai should not to be polite to his guests. Seun Osinbaloye's questions are probably tougher.
Umahi was already a successful Engineer before Rufai finish secondary school, he was a former Governor and much Older than him. You can ask your questions without arrogance and rudeness.
I watch that program and was really piss off at Oseni, I completely agree with how Umahi handled him. Next time, Umahi should send his SA on media to answer Oseni questions.
Being an anchor person does not put the two of them at the same level

amazingspiderma:
Oseni was asking simple questions.
What has that got to do with when Umahi finished school or not.


It is this type of mentality that make you think other people don't have capacity.

Oseni was doing his job, but Umahi wasn't.

If he had another model of quantifying cost, he should have used the opportunity to educate Mr. Oseni on air and prove his superior view.

Not everything is about age, we are discussing public service not family meeting.

Lifestone:
Agree that Umahi is a public servant and should be accountable

Lifestone:
Was Oseni not rude with his arrogant posturing? ..Umahi should send his SA on media to answer Oseni questions. ...

kayperry:
if you say "posturing" thats relative to interpretations ... simple and direct question and Umahi struggle to answer becos he came with a beef in his mind 🤣

Umahi people booked for oseni on arise tv, rufai reminded him .. Umahi was struggling not to go mad on that show, the grudge in his mind no let am know say the questions are even simple

the angry one is the loser 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Lifestone:
He should show respect to his guests. Oseni behaves like a child trying to get validation from the public, his argument are sometimes childish and he tries too much on occasions to impress.
Agree that Umahi is a public servant and should be accountable, but you can only have issues if he didn't answer your question, insisting he must answer your question in the manner you want shows lack of maturity.
Which mentality makes you to be rude to your guest. On many instances, Rufai trie to make hos guests look bad.
Bye the way Oseni brought the issue of reporting to Mr President up. Before Umahi answered, i was already shouting who is Rufai for a Minister to be reporting him to Mr President.
I was happy that Umahi put him where he belong
I cant speak for Wike or Umahi at another time but on this issue with Oseni, i asked again who is Oseni!

descarado:
What is this?
Heaven have mercy on you guys.
Can't believe what I just read

Lifestone:
Was Oseni not rude with his arrogant posturing? Being an online personality and asking hard questions does not say Rufai should not to be polite to his guests. Seun Osinbaloye's questions are probably tougher.
Umahi was already a successful Engineer before Rufai finish secondary school, he was a former Governor and much Older than him. You can ask your questions without arrogance and rudeness.
I watch that program and was really piss off at Oseni, I completely agree with how Umahi handled him. Next time, Umahi should send his SA on media to answer Oseni questions.
Being an anchor person does not put the two of them at the same level

umarnuhu1900:
OPINION: Umahi, Wike and the Danger of Arrogant Governance in Tinubu’s Cabinet


https://www.signalng.com/umahi-wike-and-the-danger-of-arrogant-governance-in-tinubus-cabinet-by-kolade-ogunyemi/

anonimi:
The eyesore on Bourdillon Road
2nd January 2025

Beyond his neighbours, there is something about the sight of people hanging around a president’s residence that does not speak well of his leadership capabilities. Maybe no one has nudged him to see it, but the impression that spectacle on Bourdillon Road generates is that Tinubu enjoys the sight of suffering humans and thrives in—and through— their poverty.

If all these years, impoverished people hang around you and you remain comfortable enough to keep them just so they can be handed tokens of your large heart, then it means you have a pro-poverty mindset. Such a frame of mind is oriented toward cultivating poverty rather than stimulating abundance.

That is why he could unproblematically relate the story of his “friend” who went from using five Rolls Royce to a far-less valued car and not consider the import of the nonsense he was saying. That spurious account was an indication that this is a man for whom poverty—of others, not himself—is an ideal.

https://punchng.com/the-eyesore-on-bourdillon-road/

Lifestone:
Was Oseni not rude with his arrogant posturing? Being an online personality and asking hard questions does not say Rufai should not to be polite to his guests. Seun Osinbaloye's questions are probably tougher.
Umahi was already a successful Engineer before Rufai finish secondary school, he was a former Governor and much Older than him. You can ask your questions without arrogance and rudeness.
I watch that program and was really piss off at Oseni, I completely agree with how Umahi handled him. Next time, Umahi should send his SA on media to answer Oseni questions.
Being an anchor person does not put the two of them at the same level

yusufmurry:
You just showed that you like Umahi.

I expected you to be fair enough and not biased, pointing out where both went extreme.

Take it or leave it, Umahi is just like Wike, very arrogant and doesn't know how to contain themselves in public. I expected Umahi to stylishly avoided the question than show his attitude and character.

You described Umahi to be a successful man both in business and politics, yet, all of these does not reflect in his character.

Maturity comes with tolerance.

amazingspiderma:
Oseni was asking simple questions.
What has that got to do with when Umahi finished school or not.


It is this type of mentality that make you think other people don't have capacity.

Oseni was doing his job, but Umahi wasn't.

If he had another model of quantifying cost, he should have used the opportunity to educate Mr. Oseni on air and prove his superior view.

Not everything is about age, we are discussing public service not family meeting.

Chegesnd:
Anyone with a good sense of discernment should understand that Oseni did everything possible not to a chaotic scenario.
The question is straight, and it's surprising that someone - a professor of engineering, could not find a way to give himself a soft landing, even when he doesn't have an answer to the question.
'I cannot be able to give you that figure now, there are unforseens and variables the prevailed along the line'.

anyilalaz:
Simple question: how much is the coastal highway cost in terms per kilometre?

Lifestone:
And so what did Oseni gained? He wasted such a prime time not allowing his guests to talk and ended up not getting any information for his viewers. It was an opportunity to cleverly unwrap Umahi and get the needed facts. Oseni likes to talk too much and dominates his guests, he most of the time end up having problems with guests who doesn't allow himself to be dominated. That's arrogance

Lifestone:
Was Oseni not rude with his arrogant posturing? Being an online personality and asking hard questions does not say Rufai should not to be polite to his guests. Seun Osinbaloye's questions are probably tougher.
Umahi was already a successful Engineer before Rufai finish secondary school, he was a former Governor and much Older than him. You can ask your questions without arrogance and rudeness.
I watch that program and was really piss off at Oseni, I completely agree with how Umahi handled him. Next time, Umahi should send his SA on media to answer Oseni questions.
Being an anchor person does not put the two of them at the same level

kayperry:
Are you really asking me that question after watching that show, i will bottle feed you

1.Oseni just gain More recognition as a slaying journalist , Rufai he says it like Nigerians would have say it

2. Oseni gained what millions of Nigerians are not privileged to have, hold public servants accountable

if i was Oseni i would be glowing seeing how i made the Minister so uncomfortable even in his office, naa small e remain he for ask for hand fan 🤣

He did allow Umahi talk, was Umahi really talking abi e wan tryin to show he is bigger, i am a professor cumma learn , you know nothing you are to small did that one come on Air to talk abi to fight

BadBradley:
What is correlation between age and levels when a public officer appears on radio or TV and he is being asked to inform the public of his activities?

Lifestone:
He should show respect to his guests. Oseni behaves like a child trying to get validation from the public, his argument are sometimes childish and he tries too much on occasions to impress.
Agree that Umahi is a public servant and should be accountable, but you can only have issues if he didn't answer your question, insisting he must answer your question in the manner you want shows lack of maturity.
Which mentality makes you to be rude to your guest. On many instances, Rufai trie to make hos guests look bad.
Bye the way Oseni brought the issue of reporting to Mr President up. Before Umahi answered, i was already shouting who is Rufai for a Minister to be reporting him to Mr President.
I was happy that Umahi put him where he belong
I cant speak for Wike or Umahi at another time but on this issue with Oseni, i asked again who is Oseni!