Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesperson and co-host of Arise Television’s The Morning Show, has responded to remarks made against him by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Olayinka, while appearing on The Morning Show last Friday, had accused Abati of bias against his principal, Wike, and alleged that the journalist was acting in support of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi. He went as far as suggesting that Abati should resign his position on the programme and officially become Amaechi’s spokesperson.
The media aide also claimed that Abati had previously begged for financial assistance from Wike and questioned his professional conduct on national television. Olayinka’s comments followed Abati’s earlier criticism of Wike, whom the journalist had accused of being “disrespectful and rude” to political allies, including Amaechi.
Abati was not present during Olayinka’s appearance on the show, a move the media aide suggested was deliberate. However, fellow co-host Rufai Oseni clarified on-air that Abati had called in sick.
Reuben Abati on allegations made by Lere Olayinka
In a statement released on Saturday via his social media platforms, Abati dismissed the allegations and offered a detailed rebuttal.
“I was not absent from The Morning Show to avoid any discussion. I was engaged at a pre-scheduled book review for Oprah Benson Live and Legend, a 550-page publication by Dr. Udu Yakubu. It was an honourable intellectual commitment,” Abati wrote.
He further denied ever soliciting money from Wike or having any formal or informal relationship with Amaechi.
“I have never approached Minister Nyesom Wike to beg for money. That is a lie. If anyone, including an ex-partner, went to him under false pretences to solicit funds in my name, I place a clear disclaimer. I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I have his phone number. That’s a fabrication,” he said.
Abati stressed that his commentary on Wike was based on the minister’s public conduct and insisted that public officials must remain subject to scrutiny and accountability.
He also addressed lingering controversies surrounding the late Senator Buruji Kashamu, stating that allegations against the late politician were never proven in court, and continuing to cite such claims was ethically questionable.
Concluding his statement, Abati added: “I do not consider Mr. Olayinka to be my peer. I look forward to a more meaningful conversation with the principal himself, Minister Wike, should he ever deem it necessary.”
