ABUJA, Nigeria — Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesperson and co-host of Arise Television’s The Morning Show, has refuted allegations made against him by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stating that claims of bias, impropriety, and political loyalty are “fabrications.”
Abati issued the rebuttal on Saturday, June 7, 2025, via a statement posted to his social media platforms, a day after Olayinka appeared on The Morning Show and called for Abati to resign from his role, accusing him of acting as a spokesperson for former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
“I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I have his phone number. That’s a fabrication,” Abati stated, insisting that his professional criticism of Wike was legitimate commentary, not partisan advocacy.
Olayinka had appeared on the show to respond to Abati’s recent criticisms of Wike, whom Abati had described earlier in the week as being “disrespectful and rude” to those who played pivotal roles in his political ascent.
In the broadcast on Friday, June 6, 2025, Olayinka said Abati should “excuse himself from Arise TV and go and do his job properly” for Amaechi, suggesting the broadcaster had taken sides.
Olayinka also claimed that Abati and his wife had previously sought financial assistance from Wike.
Abati categorically denied the claim.
“I have never approached Minister Nyesom Wike to beg for money. That is a lie,” he wrote.
“If anyone — including an ex-partner — went to him under false pretences to solicit funds in my name, I place a clear disclaimer. Such actions were not authorised by me, and Minister Wike reserves every right to call it out as fraud.”
Abati clarified that his absence from Friday’s programme was due to a prior engagement — the review of Oprah Benson: Live and Legend, a 550-page biography by Dr. Udu Yakubu.
Fellow co-host Rufai Oseni had similarly stated on air that Abati had called in sick, countering Olayinka’s insinuation that the anchor had been sidelined.
Addressing his past encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abati reiterated that he had never been convicted or asked to return money.
“Like many others, I was invited by the EFCC for questioning — a lawful and procedural engagement. At no time was I asked to return any money. In fact, the EFCC under former Chairman Ibrahim Magu later apologised to me,” he said.
The veteran journalist and former presidential aide also dismissed any suggestion of equivalence with Olayinka, saying, “We are not peers. I await a meaningful conversation with Minister Wike, not his proxy.”
Reaffirming his position on public accountability, Abati concluded: “I stand firmly by everything I said regarding Minister Wike. He is a public official occupying a public office. He is, and should remain, subject to public scrutiny.”
REFUTATION ON LERE OLAYINKA’S INTERVIEW ON ARISE NEWS – THE MORNING SHOW, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2025 pic.twitter.com/K7HtiOqDED
— Reuben Abati (@abati1990) June 7, 2025
