A political commentator and human rights activist, Mahdi Shehu, has lambasted Segun Showunmi, popularly known as Otunba Segun Showunmi, following his comments on the recent on-air clash between Arise TV anchor, Rufai Oseni, and the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Recall that Showunmi is the former aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and also a public affairs analyst.
He launched a political advocacy platform called The Alternative (or National Opposition Movement Coalition) meant to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and revive credible opposition.
Heated exchange between Umahi and Rufai sparks debate
The altercation occurred during The Morning Show on Arise TV, where Rufai questioned the minister about the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project and his claim of being a “Professor of Engineering.”
The interview quickly escalated, with Umahi telling Rufai to “keep quiet” and describing him as “too small” to question his credentials or suggest that he influenced the President.
The heated exchange has since dominated social media, sparking conversations about media conduct, political accountability, and respect for public office.
Showunmi calls out Arise TV and NBC
Reacting to the controversy, Showunmi criticised what he described as the growing lack of professionalism among television anchors. In a post titled “Enough is Enough: When Broadcasters Become the Story”, he accused Arise TV and its anchor of crossing ethical lines.
He wrote: “When television anchors abandon professionalism for provocation, it becomes the duty of the station’s management to call them to order. But when that failure becomes routine, the National Broadcasting Commission must step in.”
Showunmi urged the NBC and the Ministry of Information to regulate what he termed “media excesses,” stressing that: “Freedom of expression is not freedom to abuse. Regulation is not repression; it is the defence of sanity and national interest.”
He insisted that the media’s role is to enlighten, not incite; to inform, not inflame public discourse.
Mahdi Shehu fires back at Showunmi
However, Mahdi Shehu did not take Showunmi’s comments lightly. In a scathing response, Shehu accused Showunmi of siding with the government against free media and democratic accountability.
He wrote: “When they appoint you the DG of NBC, you can shut down Arise if you like. Or even now, you can approach Tinubu to shut down Arise, Premium Times, Sahara Reporters, etc., so that evil will triumph over falsehood for a short while.”
Shehu went further to mock Showunmi, describing him as a “sell-out” and “a recanting Segun,” suggesting that his comments were motivated by self-interest rather than principle.
“When sell-outs sell all they have and the proceeds are shrinking, they will seek to look for another opportunity to restock and replenish. Such is the sad commentary of the recanting Segun. Good riddance to a stupid, stinking rubbish,” Shehu added.
Public reactions
The fiery exchange between the two commentators has generated mixed reactions online.
While some Nigerians supported Showunmi’s call for professionalism in the media, others sided with Shehu, insisting that journalists must be free to challenge those in power without intimidation or censorship.