Veteran journalist and Arise News co-anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati, has refuted explosive allegations made against him by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during a heated episode of The Morning Show last Friday.
Advertisement
Olayinka, in a controversial live appearance, accused Abati of bias and alleged he had begged Minister Wike for money, even labeling him as a de facto spokesperson for former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
He also insinuated that Abati deliberately skipped the show to evade public accountability, saying: “I wasn’t expecting him to be here. He has taken the position of special assistant on media to Rotimi Amaechi.”
The claims sparked outrage and prompted a firm response from Abati over the weekend. According to a report by GWG, Dr. Abati denied all accusations, labeling them as defamatory. He insisted: “I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I even have his phone number. That’s a fabrication.”
Latest News
Abati clarified that his absence from Friday’s broadcast was due to a prior engagement — a book review event for Oprah Benson – Live and Legend authored by Dr. Udu Yakubu — and not an attempt to dodge confrontation.
He also addressed an old allegation involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Abati noted that the agency invited him only for a routine inquiry during the Magu era and later issued an official apology, confirming there was no criminal case against him.
Dismissing Olayinka’s use of the term “hubris,” Abati mocked the aide’s lack of depth, stating he wouldn’t engage someone “who does not even understand the words he uses.”
Abati reaffirmed his earlier criticism of Wike’s dismissive response to Amaechi’s “I’m hungry” remark, describing it as disrespectful and ungrateful, given Amaechi’s role in Wike’s political ascent. He emphasized that public figures should expect scrutiny from journalists.
Advertisement
Additionally, he refuted Olayinka’s mention of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu’s past controversies, reminding the public that Kashamu was never convicted in Nigeria or abroad.
In closing, Abati thanked co-anchors Rufai Oseni and Vimbai for their professionalism, and expressed gratitude to his wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, stating, “Your strength remains my anchor.”
#ReubenAbati #NyesomWike #AriseTV #RotimiAmaechi #MediaClash #PoliticalDrama #EFCC #NigerianPolitics
Tags:
Arise TV
Media Controversy
Nigerian Politics
Political Allegations
Politics
Reuben Abati
Wike News