Osun APC Slams Reuben Abati Over ‘Biased’ Arise TV Comments on LG Allocations

ByNewsmakers

Sep 8, 2025 #Arise TV, #Mogaji Kola Olabisi, #Osun APC, #Reuben Abati

Mogaji Kola Olabisi

Segun Atanda/

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a scathing attack on Dr. Reuben Abati, co-presenter of Arise News’ The Morning Show and former deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, accusing him of “professional terrorism” over his commentary on the lingering dispute surrounding federal allocations to local government councils in the state.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, on Monday, the APC alleged that Abati abandoned journalistic neutrality in favour of a “hatchet job” to discredit the opposition party in Osun.

The APC argued that Abati failed to properly acknowledge the February 10, 2025, Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated APC local government chairmen and councillors, granting them all the reliefs sought. Instead, the party claimed, the broadcaster relied on a subsequent June 13 ruling, which it dismissed as a mere obiter dictum with no legal force to overturn the earlier judgment.

“It is worrisome that a media figure of his standing would position himself as a court of law, making pronouncements on a case already decided by the Court of Appeal,” the statement read. “Governor Ademola Adeleke has refused to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court, yet Abati seeks to tilt public opinion in his favour.”

The APC further accused Abati of refusing to give senior lawyer Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (SAN) fair airtime during the debate, while amplifying “hired voices” from trade unions and human rights groups.

The party also linked Abati’s alleged bias to wider political violence in the state, citing the killing of Hon. Remi Abass, reinstated APC chairman of Irewole Local Government, and five other party members during a clash with PDP loyalists.

The statement accused Governor Adeleke of orchestrating the seven-month-long strike by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), which has paralysed council operations and delayed the disbursement of federal allocations.

“It is strange that the same governor blocking payments is the one crying loudest about non-payment,” the APC alleged, likening the situation to “approbating and reprobating at the same time.”

Concluding its statement, the APC urged Abati to desist from what it described as “biased interventions” and preserve his professional integrity.

“With his career achievements, it is less dignifying for him to play the role of a political hatchet man. History is watching,” Olabisi warned.