PDP CONDEMNS AND WARNS RUFAI OSENI, ARISE TV OVER DEROGATORY REMARK AGAINST ITS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

PRESS RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 3, 2026.

PDP CONDEMNS AND WARNS RUFAI OSENI, ARISE TV OVER DEROGATORY REMARK AGAINST ITS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

1. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken serious exception to and condemns in the strongest terms the reckless and derogatory description of its Presidential Candidate, Distinguished Senator, Professor Sandy Onor, by Arise Television presenter, Mr. Rufai Oseni, during the September 3, 2026 edition of The Morning Show on Arise TV.

2. Indeed, the fact that Mr. Oseni’s own co-presenter, Dr. Reuben Abati, immediately cautioned him about the potentially defamatory nature of the remark speaks volumes about the seriousness of what was said on air.

3. The PDP will not sit idly by while its Presidential Candidate is subjected to ridicule or deliberate characterisation designed to diminish his person and standing before millions of Nigerians.

4. While journalists are entitled to interrogate political actors, express opinions and subject candidates to robust scrutiny, such freedom does not confer a licence to insult, ridicule or maliciously disparage political candidates, particularly a Presidential Candidate of the standing of Senator Professor Sandy Onor, a distinguished former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a Professor.

5. Mr. Oseni’s utterance was completely unacceptable and falls far below the standards expected of responsible journalism and broadcasting.

6. The PDP therefore demands the immediate withdrawal of the offensive remark and an unreserved public apology to our Presidential Candidate, Distinguished Senator Professor Sandy Onor.

7. We equally caution the management of Arise TV against allowing its platforms to be used for ridiculing, insulting or deliberately disparaging our Presidential Candidate under the guise of political commentary.

8. We further warn that political commentary must not cross the line into defamation or character assassination. Freedom of expression is not a licence for reckless abuse, and the PDP will not hesitate to take all appropriate measures available under the law to protect the dignity, integrity and reputation of its Presidential Candidate.

9. No journalist, regardless of his platform or perceived influence, is above the law.

10. Rufai Oseni and Arise TV should take this warning seriously. Responsible journalism is not optional; it is an obligation.

Signed:

Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary.