An interview must not become a channel for harassment and unfounded allegations

_Re: Interview of Senator OUK by Seun Okubaloye of Channels TV_

Seun Okubaloye of Channels TV is no doubt one of the finest TV interviewer Nigeria has ever produced.

Unfortunately, the attached clip of the interview of Senator OUK by Seun of ChannelsTV is most unprofessional and embarrassing.
In this interview, Seun engaged in a most cruel interview style by presenting unfounded allegations and engaging in acts that can be considered as bullying and harassment of TV guest.

Seun forcefully asked Senator OUK to apologise to Nigerians for money printed by a past executive government.
Watching Seun harass his guest in the name of conducting interview is a total embarrassment to the good image of Channels TV.
Good journalists ask questions and probe their guests for answers so the public can be well informed.
But not when the journalist does not have the facts, plays to the gallery and acts pedestrian.

Now to the question of apology demanded by Seun over money printed by a past executive government, i have the following questions for Seun.

First, Seun must be aware that nations print money for various reason including the need to cover budget shortfalls. It is a legal activity.

“*_Ways and Means*_” is a term often used to describe a government borrowing money directly from a central bank, which essentially results in “*_printing money_*”.
Legally, it refers to short-term loans or advances provided to the government by the apex bank to cover budget shortfalls.
Printing money is generally bad when overdone because it creates too much cash for the same amount of goods, causing rapid inflation.

Therefore Seun did not tell us how much money was printed and failed to present or quantify the economy impact (inflation) of such borrowing (printing) before demanding for an apology.

We expected that Seun would have done the following before demanding for an apology from Senator OUK
1. Tell us the amount of money printed (borrowed).
2. ⁠Provide proof that the Senate approved such sums for printing.
3. ⁠Provide the negative impacts of such borrowing in quantitative economic terms i.e % contribution to inflation.
4. ⁠Provide evidence that such printed money was not repaid by the executive. (i.e withdrawn from circulation).

Seun must also be aware of the separation of powers between the executive and the legislative.
The primary function of the legislative arm of government is to make laws.
While the legislature has certain oversight functions, the legislature is not accountable or responsible for the management of the economy.
Management of the economy is the exclusive responsibility of the Executive arm of government. We have the President, the Vice President, Ministers of Finance, Budget & Planning as well as CBN governor all of which are responsible for fiscal and monetary policies.
Holding a Senator accountable for Government “ways and means” borrowing shows a poor understanding of how government works and the separation of powers between the legislature and executive arms of government.
In addition, the Senate is comprised of various committees for the sake of oversight.
I am not aware that Senator OUK was a member of the Finance Committee or any committee related to budget issues.
From the above submission, it is clear that Seun erred by asking for an apology from Senator OUK over “ways and means” borrowing by the PMB administration.
To the contrary, it is Senator OUK that deserves an apology from Seun.

I write not in defence of Senator OUK. I simply write in defence of common sense and truth.

Comrade Olufemi Adegbulugbe
07 August 2026