Veteran journalist and Arise News Morning Show anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati, has issued a firm rebuttal against accusations leveled by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The accusations came during a heated appearance by Olayinka on the ‘Morning Show’ on June 5, 2025, where Abati was notably absent.
Olayinka had accused Abati of hypocrisy for labeling Minister Wike as “rude” following a recent controversial comment Wike made about former Governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
He further alleged that Abati, a former presidential spokesman, once sought financial assistance from Wike during a past investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Olayinka also questioned Abati’s journalistic neutrality, accusing him of being a mouthpiece for Amaechi and even suggested that Abati should officially become Amaechi’s spokesperson.
In a detailed response released the next day, Abati categorically denied all the allegations, calling them “lies and fabrications.” He stated emphatically, “I have never approached Minister Nyesom Wike to beg for money, that is a lie.” Abati clarified that if anyone had attempted to solicit funds in his name without authorization, such actions were fraudulent and that Minister Wike had every right to denounce them.
Addressing his prior encounter with the EFCC, Abati explained that it was part of routine procedural questioning, which did not lead to any charges or demands for restitution. “I was invited by the EFCC for questioning like many others. It was a lawful engagement. At no time was I asked to return any money, and the EFCC later issued an apology to me,” he said, referring to the agency’s former chairman, Ibrahim Magu.
Abati also took issue with Olayinka’s mockery of his defense of Amaechi during the show. He criticized Olayinka for misusing the word “hubris” and declined to engage further with him directly, stating, “He is not my peer. I await a more meaningful conversation from his principal, not his proxy.” He firmly rejected the claim that he is Amaechi’s aide or spokesperson, adding, “I do not have his phone number. That’s a fabrication.”
Responding to suggestions that he avoided the show to dodge confrontation, Abati explained his absence was due to a pre-scheduled commitment—a book review event for ‘Oprah Benson – Live and Legend,’ a 550-page work by Dr. Udu Yakubu. He described this as an “honourable intellectual commitment.”
Reaffirming his earlier criticisms of Minister Wike, Abati emphasized the importance of holding public officials accountable. “Minister Wike is a public servant and must remain subject to public scrutiny. No one in public service is above accountability,” he said.
On the matter of his past political alliance with the late billionaire politician Buruji Kashamu during the Ogun State governorship race, Abati called for respect for the deceased, reminding the public that Kashamu was never convicted of any crimes in any court. “Persisting in amplifying unproven accusations against the deceased is unethical and in poor taste,” he noted.
Abati concluded by expressing gratitude to his colleagues and family for their support through the controversy. “My heartfelt thanks go to my diligent team—Rufai Oseni, Vimbai, and the wider crew—for their professionalism. To my supportive wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, your strength is my anchor. May Nigeria be blessed with transparency, integrity, and courage in public discourse,” he stated.