In a recent interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show program, Oladotun Hassan, a former member of the dissolved All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, made startling allegations about the Igbo community’s role in fostering ethnic bigotry in the run-up to the highly anticipated 2023 general elections. Mr. Hassan also directed accusations towards Arise Television and one of its anchors, Rufai Oseni, for their alleged contribution to the prevailing tensions through negative reporting.
During the interview, Oladotun Hassan claimed that Rufai Oseni’s line of questioning seemed to favor the Labour Party (LP) and insinuated that he had adopted a political stance. This accusation hints at potential bias within the media landscape, which is supposed to provide an unbiased platform for political discourse.
It is important to note that Oladotun Hassan’s statements came in the wake of the release of the European Union’s Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) report, which highlighted significant flaws in the electoral process, including shortcomings in law and electoral administration that hindered the smooth conduct of elections. The report also emphasized the erosion of trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, Oladotun Hassan argued that the Igbo community and Arise Television should shoulder some of the blame for the heightened tensions in the lead-up to the 2023 elections. He criticized the Igbo community for allegedly engaging in inflammatory rhetoric against the Yoruba people and cited instances where prominent Igbo actors in Nollywood had used the media to stoke the flames of animosity.
Moreover, Oladotun Hassan went on to accuse Arise Television of contributing negatively to the situation by reporting on these events in a biased manner. He alleged that certain aspects of their coverage had been intentionally negative, and in some instances, they had taken an adversarial position against the APC.
As the country gears up for the 2023 general elections, the allegations put forth by Oladotun Hassan shed light on the ongoing ethnic tensions and political divisions within Nigeria. These claims, if substantiated, could have far-reaching implications for national unity and the democratic process. It remains to be seen how these allegations will be addressed and whether efforts will be made to foster a more inclusive and constructive political discourse in the coming months.
Key Highlights
- Oladotun Hassan, a former member of the dissolved All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, has leveled accusations against the Igbo community for promoting ethnic bigotry in the days leading up to the 2023 general elections.
- Oladotun also accused Arise Television and one of its anchors, Rufai Oseni, of contributing to the tensions through their negative reports, suggesting that Oseni’s line of questioning seemed biased towards the Labour Party (LP).
- Oladotun made these allegations during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show program, following the release of the European Union’s Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) report on the 2023 general elections, which highlighted shortcomings in electoral administration and trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
