By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Arise TV anchor and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati has denied claims that he once approached Nyesom Woke, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT to beg for money.
Abati said this while reacting to claim by Lere Olayinka, the media aide to th FCT Minister in interview on Arise News’ The Morning Show on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Olayinka had accused Abati of approaching Wike to beg for money when he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCÇ.
The FCT’s media aide made the claim in response to criticism of his boss by Abati.
Abati had criticized Wike in response to the Minister’s statement on his predecessor as governor of Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi.
Olayinka said claimed Abati criticized his boss because of his links to Amaechi.
But the Arise TV anchor denied all the assertions in a statement he personally signed on Saturday.
Abati who was absent from the programme on Friday also defended his acceptance to be a running mate to Buruji Kashamu, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for Ogun governorship election in 2015.
Kashamu was battling extradition request from the United States over alleged involvement in drug business at the time.
This was in response to assertion by Olayinka that having once accepted to run alongside a wanted drug baron, Abati lacked the integrity to be a tv presenter.
Abati in the statement said: “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, place a clear disclaimer. 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.
“Lere Olayinka clearly misused the word “hubris” — a basic dictionary reference would have sufficed. I will not indulge further in responding to him directly; he is not my peer. I await a more meaningful conversation – if any – from his principal, not his proxy.
“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.
”My heartfelt appreciation goes to my diligent team – Rufai Oseni, Vimbai, and our wider crew – for standing tall with professionalism and poise.
And to my ever-supportive wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, your strength remains my anchor. May God bless Nigeria with true transparency, integrity, and boldness in public discourse.”
