By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Television host and ex-presidential assistant, Reuben Abati, has refuted allegations that he approached Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to request financial assistance.
Abati made these comments when responding to claims made by Lere Olayinka, who serves as the media assistant to the FCT Minister, during an interview on Arise News. The Morning Show On June 6, 2025, Friday.
Olayinka alleged that Abati approached Wike to ask for funds when he was apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The media assistant for the FCT responded to criticisms directed at their superior by Abati.
In reaction to the Minister's comments about his predecessor as governor of Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi, Abati had critiqued Wike.
Olayinka alleged that Abati criticized his superior due to connections with Amaechi.
However, the Arise TV anchor refuted all claims in a statement he personally signed on Saturday.
The individual named Abati, who did not appear on the program last Friday, also spoke in defense of his decision to accept the role as the running mate to Buruji Kashamu, who was the People's Democratic Party's nominee for the position of Governor of Ogun State during the 2015 elections.
At the time, Kashamu was fighting an extradition request from the United States related to his alleged participation in drug trafficking activities.
This reaction came after Olayinka claimed that since Abati had previously agreed to work with a wanted drug baron, he didn’t possess the honesty required for television presenting.
In his statement, Abati mentioned: "I have never contacted Minister Nyesom Wike to ask for financial assistance—this claim is untrue. Should anybody, even someone who was previously associated with me, approach him using deceptive means to request funding under my name, they should clearly state this fact. I did not authorize such actions, and Minister Wike has every right to identify these attempts as fraudulent."
Similar to numerous individuals, I received an invitation from the EFCC for questioning—a legitimate and formal interaction. Throughout this process, I was never requested to refund any funds. Interestingly, the EFCC, during the tenure of former chairman Ibrahim Magu, extended an apology to me.
Lere Olayinka apparently used the term 'hubris' incorrectly—a simple look-up in a standard dictionary could have prevented this error. I see no point in addressing him further since he does not stand as my equal. Instead, I am looking forward to engaging with his principal, should they choose to participate in a more substantive discussion rather than sending a representative.
“I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I possess his phone number. This is a falsehood.”
I did not miss The Morning Show on Friday to dodge any conversations. I was involved in a previously scheduled book review for 'Oprah Benson – Live and Legend,' a substantial 550-page work authored by Dr. Udu Yakubu. This engagement represented a commendable intellectual obligation.
"I fully stand behind all my statements concerning Minister Wike. As a public servant holding an official position, he must be open to public examination. No one in governmental roles should escape being held accountable.
Regarding the late Buruji Kashamu, it must be noted that none of the charges brought against him were ever substantiated in a court of law. Up until his passing, he was not found guilty of any offenses, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere. Continuously publicizing unsubstantiated claims about someone who can no longer defend themselves is both tactless and morally dubious.
My deep gratitude extends to my dedicated team—Rufai Oseni, Vimbai—and our extended group—for their steadfastness displayed with professionalism and grace.
To my endlessly supportive spouse, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, your resilience continues to be my foundation. May God grant Nigeria genuine transparency, honesty, and courage in public discussions.
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