A drama ensued on Arise Television on Tuesday morning between the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Rufai Oseni when the minister appeared for an interview on the Show.
Tension flared after Umahi grew visibly irritated by questions from one of the programme’s anchors, Rufai Oseni, who accused the minister of reporting him to President Bola Tinubu over his comments on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
During the discussion, Umahi described himself as a “professor” in the field of engineering, prompting Oseni to demand the year he attained the title.
In response, the former Ebonyi State governor clarified that his professorship was not conferred by any academic institution but earned through experience. “Keep quiet and stop saying what you don’t know. I’m a professor in this field. You don’t understand anything,” Umahi fired back.
He also dismissed Oseni’s claim that he had been reported to the President, saying, “You are too small for me to report to the President. Stop saying I reported you to the President—you’re too small.”
Umahi continued, “I understand engineering very well. You have no knowledge of what you’re asking.”
In a calm but pointed response, Rufai said, “Minister, it’s alright. Keep dignifying yourself and let the world know who you truly are.”