Not Me, I Have Never Approached Wike To Beg For Money – Abati
Veteran journalist and one of the hosts on ARISE NEWS THE MORNING SHOW, Dr. Reuben Abati has refuted the allegation claiming that he was on the practice of asking for financial assistance from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nysom Wike.
His defence comes after one of the Minister’s media aides, Lere Olayinka had accused the ace broadcast journalist of indulging in sharp practices by soliciting for financial assistance from top government officials.
Lere Olayinka had on Thursday featured on THE MORNING SHOW on ARISE NEWS, where he accused the presenters of the show of engaging in unethical practices, contrary to journalism standards.
But in a swift response, Dr. Abati had written a disclaimer where he expressed his stand on his relationship with public officials.
His statement reads: ” 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. Such actions were not authorised by me, and Minister Wike reserves every right to call it out as fraud.”
On his case with the EFCC, he said there was no time he was convicted by the anti-graft agency, insisting that he was only invited by the agency on matters bordering on allegation of misappropriation which the agency cleared him off and later apologized.
“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 issued an apology to me.”
He also said: ” 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.”
“I was not absent from The Morning Show 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 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 poise and professionalism. And to my ever-supportive wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, your strength remains my anchor.” He also expressed appreciation to other members of the TMS.