As Nigeria’s 2027 general elections draw closer, a prominent broadcast journalist has issued a pointed challenge to aspirants: if you think you are too important to sit for a television interview, you are not fit to lead.
Rufai Oseni, an anchor at Arise News, made the remarks in a post on X, warning that any presidential candidate who refuses to engage with the media will ultimately fail the people they hope to govern. His comments come at a time when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already published the credentials and personal details of presidential candidates and their running mates, signaling that the race is formally underway.
A Test of Accountability
Oseni’s argument is straightforward: television interviews and debates are not optional extras in a democracy—they are essential mechanisms of accountability. In his view, a candidate who dodges these forums is effectively telling voters they are beneath their attention.
“Any presidential candidate that is too big to appear for an interview on television will never serve Nigerians well. Such persons will be too big for the people, especially those that will never debate,” Oseni wrote.
His statement reflects a broader concern among political observers that some aspirants prefer controlled messaging—rallies, social media clips, and friendly outlets—over unscripted scrutiny. But Oseni’s critique goes beyond style: it questions the very attitude a leader brings to public service.
Why This Matters for 2027
The 2027 elections will see Nigerians elect a President, governors, and representatives at both national and state levels. With INEC already publishing candidate details, the campaign season is effectively in motion. Yet the quality of public discourse remains a pressing issue.
Television interviews force candidates to answer questions they did not choose, to defend records they might prefer to forget, and to think on their feet in real time. Debates, in particular, offer voters a rare side-by-side comparison of competing visions. When candidates skip these events, they deny citizens the information needed to make informed choices.
Oseni’s warning taps into a deeper frustration: the perception that some political figures treat the electorate as an audience to be managed, not as principals to be served. His language—“too big for the people”—is deliberately provocative, but it captures a sentiment that resonates beyond any single candidate.
The Role of the Media in Democratic Accountability
Journalists and broadcasters have long seen themselves as intermediaries between power and the public. Interviews are one of the few settings where that role is exercised directly. When a candidate refuses to participate, they are not just snubbing a reporter—they are signaling how they would treat citizens once in office.
Oseni’s position aligns with a broader journalistic ethos: that public office is a trust, and those who seek it must be willing to account for their actions and intentions. His comments also serve as a reminder to voters to demand more than slogans and photo ops.
What Comes Next
As the 2027 campaign unfolds, the question is whether candidates will rise to the occasion. Will they submit to rigorous questioning, or will they retreat into carefully managed appearances? Oseni’s challenge sets a benchmark: those who refuse to engage with the media may find themselves judged not just by their policies, but by their willingness to be held accountable.
For now, his words stand as a caution to every aspirant—and a reminder to Nigerians that the quality of their democracy depends, in part, on the demands they place on those who seek to lead them.
