ARISE TV: Onoh Rebukes Bwala, Urges Presidential Aides to Focus on Renewed Hope Agenda

Former South-East spokesperson to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has rebuked presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala over his recent comments concerning Arise Television's coverage of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Onoh, in a fact-based rejoinder issued on Monday, described Bwala's claim that Arise Television had never trended or aired stories adverse to Obi as inaccurate and counterproductive to the communication objectives of the Tinubu administration.

He argued that continued focus by presidential aides on opposition figures could inadvertently give such politicians greater visibility while diverting attention from the achievements and policy agenda of the administration.

Onoh cited several instances which, according to him, demonstrate that Arise Television has subjected Obi to critical scrutiny.

He referenced a July 2026 edition of the Arise TV Morning Show during which anchor Rufai Oseni criticised Obi following a political interview, arguing that the former Anambra State governor had not provided sufficient details on how some of his proposed policies would be implemented.

Onoh also cited Arise TV's post-2023 election coverage, claiming that some of Obi's statistical assertions made during interviews were subsequently subjected to independent scrutiny, including by the CDD Election War Room.

He further pointed to the station's coverage of criticisms of Obi by other political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was reported to have argued that Obi and his Party lacked the national political structure required to win a presidential election.

According to Onoh, the examples contradict the assertion that Arise Television has consistently shielded Obi from negative coverage.

He also reminded Bwala and other presidential communication aides that Arise Television is a privately owned media organisation with editorial independence under Nigeria's constitutional framework guaranteeing freedom of the press.

“In a free-market democracy, the remedy for anyone dissatisfied with a private station's editorial direction is simple: go and build your own television network,” Onoh said.

The former presidential spokesperson urged members of the administration's media team to avoid becoming preoccupied with opposition personalities, arguing that such engagements could unintentionally elevate the profile of those they seek to counter.

Instead, he called on the presidential communication team to devote its attention to explaining the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration and communicating its agenda to Nigerians.

Onoh said the team should focus on highlighting the administration's milestones, explaining areas where further work is required and presenting what he described as the broader objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that sustained communication of government policies and measurable achievements, rather than frequent attacks on opposition politicians, should remain the priority of presidential aides.