Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, has responded to the comments made against him by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
Abati responded to Olayinka’s recent comments via a statement published on his social media accounts on Saturday.
The former presidential spokesperson is a co-host of the popular Arise Television breakfast programme — ‘The Morning Show’.
Background
Speaking on the television breakfast programme on Friday, Olayinka asked Abati to resign his role as a television host and take up the position of spokesperson to Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers state.
The media aide accused Abati of being unprofessional by taking sides with Amaechi against the FCT minister.
Olayinka claimed that Abati did not consider Wike “rude and disrespectful” when he and his wife sought the FCT minister’s financial assistance some years ago.
Abati was not present during the programme when Olayinka came to respond to previous comments against Wike.
While speaking, the media aide commended the management of Arise TV over the claim that Abati was asked to excuse himself from today’s programme.
But Rufai Oseni, another co-host, countered Olayinka’s insinuations that Abati was asked to stay away from the show.
Oseni said Abati had called in sick.
On Tuesday, Abati lambasted Wike for his criticism of Amaechi, adding that the FCT minister is being “disrespectful and rude” to those who played significant roles in his political career.
‘I Was Engaged At A Pre-scheduled Book’
Responding to Olayinka’s comments, Abati said he was absent from Friday’s programme because he was engaged at a pre-scheduled book review.
The former presidential spokesperson said he did not have Amaechi’s phone number and never acted as his spokesperson.
Abati said he and Olayinka are not peers and that he waits for a meaningful conversation with Wike, and not his proxy.
“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,” the statement reads.
“Such actions were not authorised by me, and Minister Wike reserves every right to call it out as fraud.
“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 apologized to me.
“I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I have his phone number. That’s a fabrication.
“I was not absent from The Morning Show on Friday to avoid any discussion. I was engaged at a pre-scheduled book review for “Oprah Benson Live and Legend”, a 550-page publication by Dr. Udu Yakubu. It was an honourable intellectual commitment.
“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. Nobody in public service is above accountability.
“On the matter of Late Buruji Kashamu, it is important to state that the allegations against him were never proven in any court of law.
“Until his death, he was never convicted of any crime, either in Nigeria or abroad. Persisting in amplifying unproven accusations against the deceased is in poor taste and ethically questionable.”
