The Minister of Works, David Umahi, and TV show host, Rufai Oseni, were recently engaged in a heated exchange on live TV over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

During an interview on Arise TV, Oseni, who hosted the interview, questioned why Umahi reported him to President Bola Tinubu.

In response, Umahi said, "You are too small for me to report you to the President. Who are you for me to report you?"

Oseni then pointed out how Umahi, during a televised event, drew the attention of the President to some questions he (Oseni) asked him.

While speaking, Umahi interrupted Oseni, pointing out that the TV host did not know his profession. "Because you don't know what you are speaking," said the minister, when Oseni complained about his interruption.

Oseni then asked the minister to give details of the cost per kilometre of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Interrupting, Umahi said, "I won't keep quiet for you to damage information. I was in your studio when the first section was on, and I ran the figures.

"What you are asking us is 750km of coastal highway; we should tell you the cost per kilometre so you will multiply it by 750. That's nonsensical."

On why he refused to answer Oseni, Umahi said, "Because you don't understand anything. I'm a professor in this field. You don't understand anything, and you cannot ask me to tell you a cost."

"What university gave you a professorship in Engineering? I didn't know that you were Professor Umahi, minister," Oseni chipped in.

"I'm a professor in practice and I understand engineering very well. You have no knowledge of what you are asking me. So, you keep quiet and stop asking," Umahi said.



ASA