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.”
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