Veteran journalist and Arise News TV anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati, has broken his silence following scathing remarks by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, during a controversial appearance on The Morning Show last Friday that included claims that he begged Wike for money.
Olayinka, speaking live on the Arise News flagship programme, had besides claiming that Abati begged Wike for money also accused the TV anchor of partisanship, claiming he had become the unofficial spokesperson of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
He also questioned Abati’s absence from the studio that day, implying it was a calculated move to avoid accountability.
“Since he has clearly taken sides, he should step away from Arise TV and go fully into his new role,” Olayinka had said.
“I wasn’t expecting him to be here. He has taken the position of special assistant on media to Rotimi Amaechi.
The fiery exchange stems from a recent comment made by Amaechi during his 60th birthday celebration, where he declared himself “hungry” — a statement widely seen as a veiled criticism of the current administration. Wike, his political rival, dismissed the remarks and questioned the credibility of a man who had held multiple top political roles to claim hunger.
Abati, reacting on Arise News, criticized Wike’s response as “rude and disrespectful,” especially coming from someone whose political rise was closely tied to Amaechi. This opinion apparently struck a nerve with Olayinka, prompting his Friday outburst.
In a swift and pointed response issued over the weekend, Dr. Abati dismissed Olayinka’s claims as baseless and defamatory. He categorically denied ever aligning with Amaechi or seeking favours from Minister Wike.
“I have never approached Minister Nyesom Wike to beg for money — that is a lie,” Abati wrote in a public statement titled Refutation on Lere Olayinka’s Interview on Arise News.
“I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I have his phone number. That’s a fabrication.”
He further explained that his absence from Friday’s show was due to a prior intellectual engagement — a book review for “Oprah Benson – Live and Legend,” authored by Dr. Udu Yakubu — and not an attempt to dodge any confrontation
Abati also clarified a claim Olayinka made regarding an alleged probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to the broadcaster, his interaction with the EFCC was a routine and procedural invitation — not a criminal investigation. He added that the agency under its former chairman, Ibrahim Magu, later issued a formal apology to him.
“At no time was I asked to return any money,” he emphasized.
Taking a swipe at Olayinka’s use of the word “hubris” during the interview, Abati suggested the media aide had misused the term and lacked the intellectual depth to warrant further engagement.
“I will not indulge further in responding to him directly; he is not my peer. I await a more meaningful conversation — if any — from his principal, not his proxy.”
Despite the attacks, Abati stood firmly by his earlier criticism of Minister Wike, arguing that public officials must always be subject to public scrutiny.
“Nobody in public service is above accountability,” he declared. “Minister Wike is a public official in a public office. He must be open to scrutiny.”
Abati besides dismissing Olayinka’s claims that he begged Wike for money also addressed the media aide’s attempt to resurrect old allegations against the late Senator Buruji Kashamu, insisting that no court ever convicted the deceased, either in Nigeria or abroad.
“Persisting in amplifying unproven accusations against the deceased is in poor taste and ethically questionable,” he said.
Closing his statement, Abati expressed deep gratitude to his co-hosts, especially Rufai Oseni and Vimbai, for their professionalism during the episode. He also thanked his wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, for her unwavering support.
