‘Resign from Arise TV and become Amaechi’s spokesperson’ – Wike’s aide slams Reuben Abati (Videos)

Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on Arise TV host Reuben Abati to resign from his broadcasting role and formally take up the position of spokesperson to former minister, Rotimi Amaechi.

Olayinka made the remarks on Friday, June 6, during an appearance on The Morning Show, the breakfast programme co-hosted by Abati on Arise Television.

Notably, Abati was absent from the day’s broadcast.

The criticism follows a heated exchange between Wike and Amaechi, his predecessor as Rivers State governor.

Amaechi had stated during his 60th birthday celebration that he, like many Nigerians, is “hungry” and hinted that the opposition could unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Wike responded by dismissing Amaechi’s comment as politically motivated, saying someone with Amaechi’s long political career could not be “hungry for food.”

Abati then criticised Wike on air, accusing him of being “disrespectful and rude” to those who contributed to his political rise — a comment that sparked Olayinka’s backlash.

Olayinka, reacting on air, said:

“Mr Reuben Abati is not here. I was not expecting him to be here because he took the position of special assistant on media to Rotimi Amaechi.

I want to suggest that since he is spokesperson to Amaechi, he should excuse himself from Arise TV and go and do his job properly.”

He accused Abati of bias, stating the journalist’s comments against Wike were unprofessional and one-sided.

Olayinka also alleged that Abati did not consider Wike “rude and disrespectful” in the past when he reportedly sought the FCT minister’s financial assistance.

During the programme, co-host Rufai Oseni clarified that Abati had simply called in sick and was not asked to step away from the show as claimed by Olayinka.

Further attempts to defend Abati earned him insults from the enraged Olayinka.

He questioned Oseni’s credentials as a journalist, ridiculing him for allegedly using the language of a lawyer for interviewing guests.

He said it was not a courtroom and not an interrogation, but a media conversation.

Olayinka told Oseni that since he studying Animal Anatomy, he should be doing documentaries on animals and not be interviewing human beings.

See the hot exchange here.