Reuben Abati Fires Back at Lere Olayinka, Denies Ever Begging Wike for Money

Media heavyweight and Arise TV anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati, has clapped back at claims made by Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, during a controversial interview on The Morning Show. In a strongly worded statement released today, Abati dismissed the allegations as baseless, fabricated, and beneath his dignity.

The Allegation:

Lere Olayinka had insinuated on live TV that Reuben Abati once approached Minister Wike to solicit funds — a claim that immediately sparked outrage online.

🧾 Abati’s Response:

“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 pretenses using my name, that person acted without my knowledge or approval. It is fraud, and Minister Wike has every right to call it out.”

He further clarified:

 • He was never Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson and doesn’t even possess his contact details.

 • His absence from the show on Friday wasn’t strategic but due to a pre-scheduled engagement at a book review for “Oprah Benson – Live and Legend”.

 • On past EFCC investigations, he admitted to being invited for questioning (like many others), but was never indicted, never asked to refund money, and later received an apology from the EFCC under Ibrahim Magu.

On Public Scrutiny & Integrity:

“Minister Wike is a public official and should be open to scrutiny. No one in government is above accountability,” Abati said, reaffirming his stance on recent critiques of the Minister’s public conduct.

On Lere Olayinka:

Abati didn’t mince words, stating:

“Lere Olayinka misused the word ‘hubris’. A simple dictionary check could have helped. I will not dignify him further. He is not my peer. If there’s to be any real conversation, it should come from his principal, not his proxy.”

On Late Senator Buruji Kashamu:

Abati also defended the legacy of the late Senator, stating that:

“He was never convicted in any court, either in Nigeria or abroad. Continuing to smear the dead with unproven accusations is both unethical and distasteful.”

Finally !

Abati ended by thanking his Morning Show co-anchors, his team, and his wife Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, stating that their support fuels his dedication to integrity in journalism.

 Interface Africa will continue monitoring this developing media feud that’s stirring deep waters across Nigeria’s political and journalistic circles.

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