By Adebisi Adeola
When you become a sycophant, you praise everything your leaders do, even when they are clearly wrong. Those “data boys” celebrating Lere Olayinka’s conduct should honestly cover their faces in shame.Rufai asked a harmless question.
Even if he had asked provocative question, the most sensible response would have been to ignore it or politely decline to answer. There is absolutely no justification for rudeness or unnecessary confrontation on national television.Stop defending rascality in the name of loyalty.
Loyalty should never mean abandoning common sense, civility, and professional standards.I acknowledge that Rufai can sometimes be annoying with his line of questioning. In fact, he is certainly not my favourite interviewer. But personal feelings should not prevent anyone from being clear-headed, composed, and professional when appearing on national television.
If Lere Olayinka knew that he was unwilling to take questions from Rufai, particularly on a programme anchored by someone he considers an antagonist, he should simply have declined the invitation.
Nobody forced him to appear on the programme.By losing his composure, Lere embarrassed himself more than anyone else. He needs to understand that being outspoken is not the same as being professional.
As a journalist and public commentator, he should learn to exercise restraint, avoid being unnecessarily garrulous, and conduct himself with the professionalism expected of someone appearing on national television.
