The media aide to Nyesom Wike, Lere Okayinka, has asked Arise TV personality, Reuben Abati, to resign his role as a television host and take up the position of spokesperson to former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.
Olayinka who appeared on Arise TV on Friday, June 6, faulted Abati over his recent comments about his boss, Wike. Recall that during an event organised to mark his 60th birthday, former minister of transportation and ex-Rivers governor, said himself and millions of Nigerians are hungry. He noted that with the help of the opposition, President Bola Tinubu can be removed from office in the 2027 election.
Wike who felt uneasy with Amaechi’s comment, seized the opportunity of his media chat to reply him. While speaking to journalists, Wike said Amaechi’s comments was “politically motivated”. He argued that Amaechi could not have been hungry for food after twenty years in several political positions.
On Tuesday, June 3, Abati tore into 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. Read here.
Responding to Abati’s comment, Olayinkwa while on Arise TV this morning, commended the management of Arise Television over the claim that Abati was asked to excuse himself from today’s programme because he was coming.
Olayinka accused Abati of being unprofessional by taking sides with Amaechi against the FCT minister.
“Mr Reuben Abati is not here. I was not expecting him to be here because he took the position of special assistant on media to Rotimi Amaechi.
I was thinking that to be professional and operate normally, Reuben Abati would not be among persons who will sit in the studio to interview me.
Probably, he has been appointed as special assistant on media to Rotimi Amaechi because I watched him speaking here some days ago.
I was shocked to hear him turn himself into the spokesperson of Amaechi. I want to suggest that since he is spokesperson to Amaechi, he should excuse himself from Arise TV and go and do his job properly.”
Olayinka claimed that Abati did not consider Wike “rude and disrespectful” when he sought the FCT minister’s assistance some years ago.
During the programme, Rufai Oseni, another co-host, countered Olayinka on insinuations that Abati was asked to stay away from the show.According to Oseni, Abati was not on ait because he had called in sick.
