₦airaland Forum

Acclaimed filmmaker, Fidelis Duker, has given an assessment of sustained media attacks on TVC Director of News, Babjide Kolade Otitoju over his analysis on the Osun elections:

OSUN 2026: SPARE BABAJIDE KOLADE-OTITOJU,
BY FIDELIS DUKER

I have read several unwarranted social media dragging of Babajide Kolade-Otitoju following the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, which highlights a toxic trend in Nigerian political discourse. As a trained journalist and media practitioner, this deliberate systematic misinterpretation of objective data analysis can only be partisan bias.

As a veteran journalist and the Director of News at TVC News, Kolade-Otitoju’s pre-election assessments on Journalists’ Hangout became the target of aggressive internet commentary. However, a factual, timeline-based review of his exact statements reveals that the online backlash is entirely unjustified. He never predicted a winner, and his rigorous, multi-faceted analysis of the race was rooted strictly in political realpolitik.

The core grievance of the social media mob relies on a manufactured narrative that Kolade-Otitoju predicted a loss for Governor Ademola Adeleke or actively campaigned against him. Anyone who actually watched the pre-election episodes of TVC News can verify that Kolade-Otitoju explicitly stated he would not predict the final winner.

Instead of playing a guessing game, he did what any seasoned journalist and political analyst is trained to do, he broke down the complex, competing dynamics of the race as he meticulously weighed how Governor Adeleke's immense grassroots popularity and social capital would stack up against the All Progressives Congress’s heavy institutional mobilisation and the emergence of a strong third-party challenger.

On the issue of "Federal Might", rather than declaring the APC’s efforts absolute, Kolade-Otitoju explored how the ruling party was flying in major stakeholders and committees such as Governor Hope Uzodinma to plot an aggressive strategy. He noted this simply as a tactical reality, not as a seal of victory.

I am one who closely watch political shows and I can conveniently say days before the election, Kolade-Otitoju accurately warned that Osun would likely see a massive surge in vote trading, explaining that because electronic accreditation (BVAS) had made traditional ballot snatching obsolete, politicians would shift their resources to financial inducement. To interpret these objective observations as a bias against Adeleke requires a total suspension of comprehension skills.

Even if Kolade-Otitoju had used his TVC platform to predict a specific winner, he would have been entirely within his rights as a professional journalist. Political pundits across democratic nations from the United States to the United Kingdom frequently predict winners based on fact based analysis.

So the unwarranted social media dragging of Kolade-Otitoju following the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election highlights a toxic trend in Nigerian political discourse and the systematic misinterpretation of objective data analysis as partisan bias.
An analyst’s prediction is an opinion backed by his field data. It is not a declaration of intent, nor is it a weapon to suppress votes. Demanding that media personalities only share opinions that flatter a specific political fanbase is a dangerous form of digital censorship.

Furthermore, those attempting to discredit Kolade-Otitoju’s career conveniently ignore his formidable track record. Over decades of broadcast journalism, he has correctly predicted the outcomes of several highly contested elections across Nigeria, earning numerous awards for his deep understanding of regional voting blocs, internal party structures, and traditional rulers' influence.

The ultimate proof of Kolade-Otitoju's journalistic neutrality came immediately after the votes were counted. Following Adeleke's historic victory, Kolade-Otitoju returned to the airwaves to deliver an unfiltered, masterclass breakdown of how the APC's internal failures and systemic rot led to their defeat. In a viral segment on TVC news, he went so far as to label former Governor Rauf Aregbesola the "biggest loser" of the election, mathematically demonstrating how Aregbesola's preferred third-party candidate could not even secure 15 votes in his own local polling unit. If Kolade-Otitoju were the partisan agent his critics claimed him to be, he would not have spent his post-election analysis exposing the myth of "Federal Might" and praising the digital transparency that secured Adeleke’s win.

The toxic social media dragging of Kolade-Otitoju is an unfortunate indictment of modern political discourse in Nigeria. When partisan echo chambers mistake aggressive reporting and objective risk analysis for bias, it threatens the freedom of the press.

Kolade-Otitoju did his job as a journalist and he laid out the facts, highlighted the structural challenges on both sides, and left the final decision to the voters of Osun State. He deserves respect for his unwavering commitment to the real politics of Nigerian governance.

Fidelis Duker is a filmmaker/media practitioner cum politician who writes from Calabar.

https://www.facebook.com/babajide.koladeotitoju/posts/osun-2026-spare-babajide-kolade-otitoju-by-fidelis-dukeri-have-read-several-unwa/10167904655568989/

The unfortunate dragging of Otitoju was instigated by one Rufai Oseni, a bitter journalist in Arise News who sees Otitoju as a threat to his rise in the profession.

Rufai Oseni has made it a habit to discredit Babajide Kolade-Otitoju using Twitter and Arise News. Following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, Rufai Oseni, in a segment of "What's Trending", lied that Otitoju switched positions. Otitoju had said before the declaration that Tinubu had no power to declare a state of emergency and suspend an elected governor. He said Obasanjo had used an antiquated law which would be resisted. After Tinubu's declaration of state of emergency and removing Fubara, Otitoju said Tinubu took him by surprise as no one saw his action coming. He maintained that he was not recanting his earlier position. Yet, Rufai lied. Ojy Okpe had started it by deliberately calling Otitoju "that TVC journalist". Dr Reuben Abati corrected her and told her he had a name and should be properly addressed. Then Rufai Oseni began his evil lies that Otitoju recanted. Abati asked Rufai to explain, Rufai could not point to where Otitoju recanted. Ayo Maero Ese never said a word. She was clearly irritated that Rufai was telling lies on air.

Ojy Okpe and Rufai Oseni sought to use Arise News to destroy Otitoju. They failed. Ojy backed down. But Rufai did not. He believes he can lie to destroy Otitoju. He sees Otitoju as a threat to his relevance.

MAY GOD BLESS BABAJIDE KOLADE-OTITOJU AND MAY HE RECEIVE STRENGTH FOR HIS TIRELESS EFFORTS IN REPORTING FROM HIGH RISK AREAS. MAY GOD BLESS TVC NEWS AND THEIR STAFF. MAY PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU SUCCEED.

emkz:
The unfortunate dragging of Otitoju was instigated by one Rufai Oseni, a bitter journalist in Arise News who sees Otitoju as a threat to his rise in the profession.

Can you mention any place you have seen Rufia Oseni discussing Otitoju and his position in politics?


People like you are part of the problem who always jump to conclusion without any proof but will always argue like a market women on the internet.


🥸🥸🥸🥸🥸

MEGAWATCH:
Can you mention any place you have seen Rufia Oseni discussing Otitoju and his position in politics?


People like you are part of the problem who always jump to conclusion without any proof but will always argue like a market women on the internet.


🥸🥸🥸🥸🥸

Following the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, Rufai Oseni LIED that Otitoju changed mouth on his position.

Rufai Oseni lied against Otitoju.

emkz:
Following the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, Rufai Oseni LIED that Otitoju changed mouth on his position.

Rufai Oseni lied against Otitoju.

Please kindly show us the link to what you have just said now let's know its not a usual internet propaganda.


🥸

I have no time to read all these damage control. The man in discussion used to a journalist I used to respect because of his vast knowledge about Nigeria politics. Then he used to be unbiased. Now he is partisan.

Journalist are citizens and human .
They have a personal right to affiliate with any candidate of their choice
While analysing, we expect them to be neutral and unbiased
Unfortunately,this might likely not be so on most occasions
Even stations tend to tilt towards the political association of its owners, from AIT(remember the campaign against PMB then), to Arise ,to TVC.
Allow BKO do his thing as a seasoned journalist.

I stopped watching Jounalist Roundtable show and indeed TV News because of this buffooon called Babajide Otitoju.
He is a staunch supporter of Bola Tinubu and you can easily tell this from his brown envelop bias analysis.
Infact the entire crew of Journalist Hangout are Yoruba and pro Tinubu.
You can't get unbias analysis from them.

Those people, dont ever tolerate them to troll or blackmail you. The moment you allowed them, you are automatically their constant victim

They dare not bring head for my side again on this forum

I have never seen such bitter people before in my life. Politics that they are not the one on the ballot yet want to be disrespecting others

Sebi they think they are invincible and untouchable, they shall reap all what they have been sowing

emkz:
Acclaimed filmmaker, Fidelis Duker, has given an assessment of sustained media attacks on TVC Director of News, Babjide Kolade Otitoju:


https://www.facebook.com/babajide.koladeotitoju/posts/osun-2026-spare-babajide-kolade-otitoju-by-fidelis-dukeri-have-read-several-unwa/10167904655568989/
Fidelis Duker is a filmmaker/media practitioner cum politician who writes from Calabar.

This damage control won't work. Babajide has spoiled his name the more. With his APC sponsored analysis on Osun election

No amount of defense or whitewashing can change the public perception of the biasness of BKO as far as his defective journalism defense of the APC govt is concern on TVC. A lots of people have stopped watching JH due to his overt partisanship on political matters

emkz:
The unfortunate dragging of Otitoju was instigated by one Rufai Oseni, a bitter journalist in Arise News who sees Otitoju as a threat to his rise in the profession.

Kayode ‘Ijiot’ Otitoju will never be a threat to Rufai Oseni.

Because even though Kayode is old enough to be Rufai’s father, he will never see the back of Rufai in journalism.

The old man ijiot is an ethnic jingoist who and Tinubu urine drinker not capable of holding objective thought.

Damn him!

MEGAWATCH:
Please kindly show us the link to what you have just said now let's know its not a usual internet propaganda.


🥸

https://youtu.be/C_7SJ4eR2uk?is=tIKB64slvF7aueys

Now, if you have any honour in you, this is the time for you to apologise to me and those you have misled. If you cannot apologise, please send my apologies to your parents for wasting funds on your education.

Penguin2:
Kayode ‘Ijiot’ Otitoju will never be a threat to Rufai Oseni.

Because even though Kayode is old enough to be Rufai’s father, he will never see the back of Rufai in journalism.

The old man ijiot is an ethnic jingoist who and Tinubu urine drinker not capable of holding objective thought.

Damn him!

Are you okay? You do not speak as a sane person should speak.

How can a journalist write something about another journalist working for Tinubu Television?

The TVC journalist is doing his job of protecting his job. He can't analyze anything without bais. His job depends on the lies he tells to defend his paymasters.

Who watches TVC?

Racoon:
No amount of defense or whitewashing can change the public perception of the biasness of BKO as far as his defective journalism defense of the APC govt is concern on TVC. A lots of people have stopped watching JH due to his overt partisanship on political matters

No one is whitewashing him. Many of you have outsourced critical thinking to Rufai Oseni and those who toe your sentimental lines. I listened to Otitoju on Osun elections. He spoke on what each candidate had done and how it might influence the elections. At no point did he undermine Ademola Adeleke. He was thorough, objective and fair. One point he made was that money would dominate the elections. That was spot on.

If BKO is defending the government, I won't fault him. When Nduka Obaigbena's company was in litigation with First Bank over defaulting on loan taken by his hydrocarbon exploration company but was said to have ended up funding someone's political campaign, wasn't Arise News used to whitewash him? You lot hate the country, you hate the government and you want others to join you in your hate train.

That is how demons possess people.

Fidelis Duker is a rogue. Looking for appointments

Typing:
This damage control won't work. Babajide has spoiled his name the more. With his APC sponsored analysis on Osun election

Did you bother to watch the interview or you only watched cut and paste by Rufai Oseni? Are you aware that Rufai Oseni studied animal husbandry with a specialisation on sementology, that is, extracting semen from pigs for artificial insemination?

Have you allowed Rufai Oseni extract your sense and inseminate you with nonsense?

I agree. Babajide Kolade Otitoju has ruined his reputation by his refusal to support Peter Obi and the unthinking mob who cannot even do basic critical thinking.

Before Rufai Oseni came to the scene, the journalism profession was noble. It was about issues and analysis. As soon as Rufai came, he started self-focused journalism and attempted to position himself as an opinion moulder. It failed in 2023 because Otitoju countered him and the entire Arise News propaganda with facts.

That is why Rufai Oseni detests Otitoju.

The best gift anyone can give himself is to be detested by Obidients and an unruly class.

helinues:
Those people, dont ever tolerate them to troll or blackmail you. The moment you allowed them, you are automatically their constant victim

They dare not bring head for my side again on this forum

I have never seen such bitter people before in my life. Politics that they are not the one on the ballot yet want to be disrespecting others

Sebi they think they are invincible and untouchable, they shall reap all what they have been sowing

I actually want them to troll me. It is fun to watch them struggle to attack when they lack the intellectual depth for critical thinking. Imagine someone saying Fidelis Duker is looking for appointment. Someone saying that is clearly a child.

emkz:
I actually want them to troll me. It is fun to watch them struggle to attack when they lack the intellectual depth for critical thinking. Imagine someone saying Fidelis Duker is looking for appointment. Someone saying that is clearly a child.

Please don't make the attempt. They can take their blackmailing to the extreme, I mean blackmail you outside Nairaland.

They will do it and still brag about it.

They blackmailed one member that he raped his little cousin. It caused big family problem for the guy

The day I totally cancelled them was the day one of them which I i give slight respect to was bragging about how they bullied Cubana into submission.

I was like really. If they can bully their own and still brag about it, then we have nothing to say or discuss again

helinues:
Please don't make the attempt. They can take their blackmailing to the extreme, I mean blackmail you outside Nairaland.

They will do it and still brag about it.

They blackmailed one member that he raped his little cousin. It caused big family problem for the guy

They are that inordinately vile?

emkz:
They are that inordinately vile?

Bro, I am one of the last man standing on this forum. If you know what those people are capable of doing, it's better to let them be.

The end sars Lekki massacre was blackmailing. Na for my koro Koro eyes Dem they recruit and concoct that narration, before I could do jack, the narration have overtaken everywhere.

Ever since before they even make their steps, we are already alert.

Buhari cloning, replacing by one Jubril from Sudan, link everything together

Seh na those people you wan dey reason with?

helinues:
Bro, I am one of the last man standing on this forum. If you know what those people are capable of doing, it's better to let them be.

The end sars Lekki massacre was blackmailing. Na for my koro Koro eyes Dem they recruit and concoct that narration, before I could do jack, the narration have overtaken everywhere.

Ever since before they even make their steps, we are already alert.

Buhari cloning, replacing by one Jubril from Sudan, link everything together

Seh na those people you wan dey reason with?

Those are not people worth engaging.

emkz:
Those are not people worth engaging.

I wouldn't even advise my enemies to have anything to do with them because their reasonings heh.

President Tinubu was once a senator, governor for 8 years, please what's the essence of still bringing certificate and drug issue, something they wasted their time on before the 2023 election.

Only them understand themselves, so let them be discussing with themselves

I have advised those who are creating development news to be blocking them so that they won't be seeing them as them seeing it is an opportunity to display chronic bitterness on it.

People wey dey dey sad and bitter about the progress and development of their own country because they don't like the president. Tueh

CharleyBright:
I stopped watching Jounalist Roundtable show and indeed TV News because of this buffooon called Babajide Otitoju.
He is a staunch supporter of Bola Tinubu and you can easily tell this from his brown envelop bias analysis.
Infact the entire crew of Journalist Hangout are Yoruba and pro Tinubu.
You can't get unbias analysis from them.

How is your watching the program important to the program itself or other important viewers, abeg stop flattering yourself. If BKO opinion or view on certain issues suits u, then it's eldorado but when you don't agree or feel it's out of place then you scream blue murder. The guy has always been object in his political analysis to his best of knowledge and has done a very good job overtime, so stop berating him because he did his job.

helinues:
I wouldn't even advise my enemies to have anything to do with them because their reasonings heh.

President Tinubu was once a senator, governor for 8 years, please what's the essence of still bringing certificate and drug issue, something they wasted their time on before the 2023 election.

Only them understand themselves, so let them be discussing with themselves

I have advised those who are creating development news to be blocking them so that they won't be seeing them as them seeing it is an opportunity to display chronic bitterness on it.

People wey dey dey sad and bitter about the progress of their own country because they don't like the president. Tueh

So early this morning you have started

You no go find work this boy ?

emkz:
https://youtu.be/C_7SJ4eR2uk?is=tIKB64slvF7aueys

Now, if you have any honour in you, this is the time for you to apologise to me and those you have misled. If you cannot apologise, please send my apologies to your parents for wasting funds on your education.

Lolz, honour how? Are you asking for snow in Kebbi?

Ewabokian:
So early this morning you have started

You no go find work this boy ?

This one has been creating monikers daily for over 5 good years to remind me of how jobless I have been.

Nigerians, NL's , make una help me reason am too oo

So he will take his time to create daily monikers just to tell me I don't have a job. That must be too much of productivity

Abeg who do una like this now

helinues:
This one has been creating monikers daily for over 5 good years to remind me of how jobless I have been.

Nigerians, NL's , make una help me reason am too oo

So he will take his time to create daily monikers just to tell me I don't have a job. That must be too much of productivity

Abeg who do una like this now

Yoruba shatap and get a life before you end up telling people to go back to their states

Ewabokian:
Yoruba shatap and get a life before you end up telling people to go back to their states

Only people with fra, sound and behave like the way you have been doing on this forum.

Should you even still be talking.

So you will create daily monikers just to remind me that I should go and get a job. Your own pass fra but fra papa

helinues:
Only people with fra, sound and behave like the way you have been doing on this forum.

Should you even still be talking.

So you will create daily monikers just to remind me that I should go and get a job. Your own pass fra but fra papa

This is bromate free

Very soft , tell me the truth wen last you taste bread if no be for jagaban