By Peter Omopo
Former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 presidential campaign, Segun Showunmi, has urged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Federal Ministry of Information to impose stricter regulations on broadcast media in Nigeria, citing what he described as “a worrying collapse of professionalism” among some television anchors.
Showunmi made the remarks in a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter) late Tuesday, titled “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: WHEN BROADCASTERS BECOME THE STORY.” He criticised what he called a growing culture of “provocation and bias” on national television, particularly among hosts who “abandon professionalism for partisanship.”
“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,” he wrote.
The politician argued that the line between freedom of expression and abuse was being blurred on many platforms, warning that unchecked hostility during live interviews undermines public trust in journalism.
“The supervising Ministry of Information must not remain a bystander while citizens invited in good faith are subjected to insult, rudeness, partisan aggression, and empty intellectual showmanship,” Showunmi said.
“Freedom of expression is not freedom to abuse. Regulation is not repression; it is the defence of sanity and national interest. The time has come to draw the line.”
Targets Arise TV, Calls Out Rufai Oseni
In his post, Showunmi specifically mentioned ARISE Television and its morning show anchor Rufai Oseni (@ruffydfire), accusing the platform of crossing ethical boundaries.
“The madness must stop. ARISE TV and its anchor Rufai Oseni have crossed too many lines,” he wrote.
“They cannot continue to constitute themselves into self-appointed prosecutors, judges, and enemies of the state under the guise of journalism. There is a difference between questioning power and attacking the very idea of order.”
Showunmi maintained that while independent podcasts and citizen journalists might be excused for their lack of structure, licensed broadcasters carry a legal and moral responsibility to uphold balance and respect.
“What can be excused from a citizen’s podcast we cannot and must not tolerate from a licensed national broadcaster,” he added.
Activists Push Back
However, human rights activist Mahdi Shehu swiftly criticised Showunmi’s comments, accusing him of hypocrisy and veiled support for censorship.
“When they appoint you DG of NBC, you can shut down Arise if you like,” Shehu wrote in response on X.
“Or even now, you can approach Tinubu to shut down Arise, Premium Times, and Sahara Reporters so that evil will triumph over falsehood for a short while.”
Shehu described Showunmi’s remarks as “a sad commentary from a recanting Segun,” calling his post “stupid, stinking rubbish.”
Background: Tense Media–Government Relations
Showunmi’s comments came hours after a tense live interview between Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, and Rufai Oseni on ARISE TV’s Morning Show. The exchange, which centred on the controversial Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, became heated as Oseni pressed Umahi on issues of cost transparency and environmental impact.
The incident has reignited debate over the boundaries of journalistic freedom, the role of regulation, and the balance between accountability and respect in broadcast journalism.
While some observers support Showunmi’s call for renewed professionalism, others argue that increased regulation could threaten press freedom and embolden political interference in media operations.
The National Broadcasting Commission has not yet issued an official statement regarding the controversy.
