Photo Credit: Original image / screengrab from Arise TV via Gistlover / X/@OlayinkaLere
Lere Olayinka Labels Rufai Oseni “Born By Mistake” After Arise TV Interview Was Cut Short
Lere Olayinka, the media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has mocked Arise TV anchor, Rufai Oseni, days after their heated live interview on The Morning Show.

The clash happened on Friday, September 4, 2026, when Arise TV abruptly ended Olayinka’s interview after he refused to take questions from Rufai.

During the interview, Rufai had pressed Olayinka on political issues, including the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council despite corruption allegations levelled against her. Olayinka declined to answer Rufai, stating he preferred to have a conversation with “reasonable human beings.”

Co-anchor, Ayo Mairo-Ese, subsequently informed Olayinka that the show has three anchors and he was expected to engage with all of them, before the interview was brought to an end.

In a new post on X (formerly Twitter) on September 5, Olayinka took another swipe at Rufai while reacting to the journalist’s interview with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

He described Rufai as “BORN by MISTAKE” and alleged that the journalist travelled to Abia State “on the BILL of Governor Alex Otti.”

Olayinka claimed Rufai was unusually calm during the interview with Governor Otti, unlike his usual aggressive style.

In his words:
“The BORN by MISTAKE went to Abia State on the BILL of Governor Alex Otti. Governor Alex Otti clearly told him there were questions he won’t answer and the BORN by MISTAKE didn’t do his usual shouting – YOU HAVE TO ANSWER MY QUESTION. He didn’t also say I PUT IT TO YOU and no EMPIRICAL FACTS. Look at the tone of the interview. Look at the way he was so sober while asking questions. The Governor told him to LISTEN, and BORN by MISTAKE just Melembe. Na wetin money do am be that.”
The post has since triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some users supporting Olayinka while others defended Rufai Oseni and criticized Olayinka’s choice of words.
Source: Gistlover