Abati Fires Back: Denies Begging Wike for Money, Slams Olayinka’s Claims

Abuja, Nigeria – Veteran journalist and Arise News co-host, Dr. Reuben Abati has vehemently refuted claims by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that he once approached the minister to solicit funds. Abati’s strong rebuttal follows an appearance by Olayinka on Arise TV’s “The Morning Show” on Friday, June 6, 2025, where the allegations were made.

In a comprehensive statement released over the weekend, Dr. Abati categorically denied ever begging Minister Wike for money, labelling the assertion as “a lie.” He emphasized that any individual, including an “ex-partner,” who might have sought funds in his name did so under false pretenses and without his authorization, urging Minister Wike to expose such actions as fraud.

“I have never approached Minister Nyesom Wike to beg for money – that is a lie,” Abati stated. “If anyone – including an ex-partner – went to him under false pretences to solicit funds in my name, place a clear disclaimer. Such actions were not authorised by me, and Minister Wike reserves every right to call it out as fraud.”

Addressing other accusations by Olayinka, including suggestions of partisanship and being a spokesperson for former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Abati was unequivocal “I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I have his phone number. That’s a fabrication,” he asserted.

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Dr. Abati also clarified his past engagement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stating it was a “lawful and procedural engagement” and that he was never asked to return any money. He revealed that the EFCC, under former Chairman Ibrahim Magu, later issued an apology to him.

Regarding his absence from “The Morning Show” on Friday, which Olayinka implied was a deliberate avoidance of confrontation, Abati explained he was engaged in a pre-scheduled intellectual commitment: a book review for “Oprah Benson – Live and Legend,” a 550-page publication by Dr. Udu Yakubu.

Abati reiterated his stance on public officials, stating that he stands “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.” He further criticized Olayinka’s use of the word “hubris,” suggesting a basic dictionary reference would have sufficed and stated he would not “indulge further in responding to him directly; he is not my peer.”

The veteran journalist also touched on the allegations against the late Buruji Kashamu, stressing that they were “never proven in any court of law,” and that “until his death, he was never convicted of any crime, either in Nigeria or abroad.” He deemed persisting in amplifying unproven accusations against the deceased as “in poor taste and ethically questionable.”

Dr. Abati concluded by expressing his gratitude to his Arise News team, Rufai Oseni and Vimbai, for their professionalism and poise, and to his wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, for her unwavering support. He called for “true transparency, integrity, and boldness in public discourse” in Nigeria.