I've Never Begged Wike for Money - Reuben Abati Fires Back at Lere Olayinka's Explosive Claims

Arise TV's lead anchor and respected journalist, Dr. Reuben Abati, has broken his silence following an on-air outburst by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Olayinka, appearing on Friday's edition of The Morning Show on Arise News, made a series of allegations against the veteran broadcaster, accusing him of once "beggingÔÇØ Wike for money and insinuating that Abati had issues with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But in a strongly worded response posted on Saturday, Reuben Abati dismissed the allegations as outright falsehoods laced with personal vendetta.

"I have never approached Minister Nyesom Wike to beg for money - that is a lie," Abati wrote. "If anyone, including an ex-partner, went to him under false pretences in my name, I issue a clear disclaimer. Such actions were never authorised by me. Minister Wike reserves every right to call that fraud.ÔÇØ

Taking the battle further, Abati cleared the air on his record with the EFCC, stating emphatically that he was never asked to return any money and that the anti-graft agency even apologized to him under former Chairman Ibrahim Magu.

He added: "I am not Rotimi Amaechi's spokesperson, nor do I have his phone number. That's a fabrication.ÔÇØ

Another major controversy from Olayinka's tirade was the insinuation that Abati was forced off the Arise programme on Friday. But Reuben Abati revealed that he was only absent due to a prior commitment - the review of a 550-page biography titled 'Oprah Benson - Live and Legend' by Dr. Udu Yakubu.

While his co-anchor Rufai Oseni mentioned on air that Abati was "indisposedÔÇØ and had "called in sick,ÔÇØ Abati made it clear he was fulfilling a professional duty and not hiding from Olayinka's outburst.

"Lere Olayinka is not my peer,ÔÇØ Abati said sharply. "I will only respond to his principal, Minister Wike, should the need arise.ÔÇØ

He also doubled down on his criticism of Wike, affirming that public officials must remain open to public scrutiny, and said he stands by calling the minister "rude,ÔÇØ which triggered Olayinka's rage in the first place.

On a separate note, Reuben Abati tackled Olayinka's continued reference to the late Senator Buruji Kashamu, insisting that the accusations against him were never proven in any court either in Nigeria or abroad, and that it was both unethical and in poor taste to continue maligning a dead man.

He wrapped up his statement with words of gratitude to his Arise TV co-anchors Rufai Oseni and Vimbai Mutinhiri, commending their professionalism, and appreciated his wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, for her steadfast support.

This faceoff has added fuel to an already simmering feud between supporters of Minister Wike and media practitioners who dare to question him, opening up yet another chapter in the saga of Nigeria's most outspoken political figures.