Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesperson and co-host of Arise Television’s The Morning Show, has strongly denied allegations made by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that he once begged the minister for money and acted as a spokesperson for former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
The accusations were made by Olayinka during an appearance on The Morning Show on Friday, where he accused Abati of bias in favour of Amaechi and suggested he resign from the show to become Amaechi’s official spokesperson.
Olayinka also alleged that Abati had previously solicited financial help from Wike and questioned his professional ethics on live television.
The remarks followed Abati’s earlier criticism of Wike, in which he accused the FCT minister of being “disrespectful and rude” to political associates, including Amaechi.
Abati, who was absent during the episode featuring Olayinka, was said by his co-host Rufai Oseni to have taken a sick day.
However, Olayinka insinuated that Abati intentionally avoided being present to dodge confrontation.
In a statement issued on Saturday through his social media handles, Abati rejected all claims made by Olayinka and offered clarifications regarding his absence and the allegations.
“I was not absent from The Morning Show to avoid any discussion. I was engaged at a pre-scheduled book review event for Oprah Benson Live and Legend, a 550-page publication by Dr. Udu Yakubu. It was an honourable intellectual commitment,” Abati explained.
He categorically denied ever requesting financial assistance from Wike or maintaining any formal or informal ties 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,” he stated.
“I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I even have his phone number. That’s a complete fabrication.”
Abati emphasised that his criticism of Wike was based solely on the minister’s public conduct and reiterated the importance of subjecting public officials to scrutiny and accountability.
He also addressed persistent controversy involving the late Senator Buruji Kashamu, asserting that allegations against the senator were never proven in court and that continued references to them were ethically inappropriate.
Abati concluded his statement with a veiled dismissal of Olayinka’s relevance:
“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.”
