Allegations of Partisanship Rock Rave FM Osogbo• Station Favours Ademola Adeleke Administration - Critics

By Segun Oladapo

Allegations of bias and unprofessional conduct have increasingly been raised against Rave FM Osogbo, particularly concerning the interview style of some of its presenters. 

One of its presenters, Mr Joshua Adenipekun, has been repeatedly mentioned for often bullying his guest on "Oro Oselu"," a flagship political programme of the radio station. 

For a station that ought to serve as a platform for balanced discourse, such concerns strike at the heart of media ethics and public trust.

A recurring criticism of Adenipekun’s approach is his tendency to interrupt guests, especially those perceived to be aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Rather than allowing them to fully articulate their views, he is often accused of cutting them short, steering conversations in ways that reflect his own political leanings. This pattern not only undermines the integrity of the interview process but also deprives listeners of the opportunity to hear diverse perspectives in full.

More troubling is the allegation that the presenter injects personal political bias into discussions, presenting subjective opinions as though they were objective public consensus. This blurring of lines between opinion and fact is inconsistent with the standards expected of a professional broadcaster.

Language use has also come under scrutiny. Adenipekun has reportedly referred to legally recognized APC local government officials—chairmen and councillors—as “YES or NO Chairmen,” a label widely regarded by critics as pejorative and lacking any basis in Nigerian law. The concern deepens when such description is not equally applied to officials aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the so-called  "sit-at-home chairmen," creating the impression of selective targeting and partisan bias. Why should Rave FM's presenters be excited about mocking APC chairmen and councillors as "YES or NO" while at the same time reluctant to call those officials on the state government's side as "sit-at-home chairmen?" Does that not amount to double standard? 

There are also circulating claims regarding the station’s audience participation process. It is alleged that the call-in line for live contributions during interviews is, at times, effectively dominated by supporters of the incumbent administration under Ademola Adeleke because dedicated phone lines are made exclusive to the handlers and supporters of the government. This is a strong allegation which the management of the Rave FM must dispel if it is not the standard.

 Additionally, critics argue that callers who are hostile to opposition guests are sometimes allowed to make inflammatory remarks, including personal attacks, without appropriate moderation or caution from the hosts. If true, such practices would fall short of responsible broadcasting standards, which require fairness, respect, and control of abusive content.

The newspaper reviews of the station have also been faulted on the ground that it devotes bulk of the time to propagate negative media about APC while playing down on the public disapprovals in the dailies of the Ademola Adeleke government

Beyond on-air conduct, concerns have also been raised about content moderation on the station’s social media platforms. Observers allege that comments critical of the current administration are frequently deleted or suppressed on Rave FM’s Facebook page. This has led to questions about whether the station is engaging in selective censorship to shield the government from scrutiny, thereby limiting open and balanced public engagement.

The broader programming direction of the station has also been called into question. Some critics explain that Rave FM’s editorial stance appears consistently favourable to the incumbent government. This perception is further complicated by claims that the station’s owner, Mr Femi Adefila, has close ties with the current administration, including advisory roles linked to the state broadcasting structure. He is described as a Media Adviser/Consultant to the Osun Governor. While such relationships are not uncommon, they raise legitimate concerns about conflict of interest and whether editorial decisions are being influenced by political considerations.

In a democratic society, the media plays a critical role as a watchdog and a platform for plural voices. When a station is perceived to lean too heavily in favour of one side, it risks eroding public confidence and diminishing its credibility.

If Rave FM is to retain or regain the trust of its audience, it must recommit to the core principles of journalism—fairness, balance and professionalism.

Reducing overt political bias in its programming, ensuring respectful and uninterrupted engagement with guests, and maintaining neutrality in both on-air and online spaces are essential steps toward restoring its reputation as a credible public broadcaster.