Arise TV anchors Reuben Abati and Ojy Okpe had a heated exchange on air this morning, November 22, following Abati’s controversial story about Igbos allegedly refusing to sell land to non-indigenes.
The tension stemmed from an incident Abati narrated on November 21. He recounted how the late Chief T.O.S. Benson, a former Minister of Information with an Igbo wife and daughter, was reportedly unable to build a house in the South East because his Igbo in-laws told him that land was not sold to “outsiders.”
“Chief T.O.S. Benson said he had an Igbo wife and daughter, and when he tried to buy land in Igbo land for them, his in-laws told him they do not sell land to outsiders,” Abati shared.
The story sparked widespread debate online, with mixed reactions. While some Nigerians corroborated Abati’s account, others, particularly Igbos, refuted it, arguing that non-indigenes regularly purchase land in the South East.
During their broadcast, Ojy Okpe confronted Abati about the backlash, suggesting that his anecdote could perpetuate negative stereotypes about the Igbo community. Abati responded with visible irritation, expressing frustration at the criticism.
The exchange highlighted the sensitivity of cultural narratives in Nigeria and sparked further discourse online.
Watch the full video of their interaction below.
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