Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on Arise TV host Reuben Abati to resign from his role as a television presenter and formally take up the position of spokesperson for former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.


Appearing on Arise Morning Show on Friday, June 6, Olayinka criticized Abati for what he described as biased commentary against his principal. His remarks followed Abati's earlier critique of Wike’s response to recent statements made by Amaechi.


At a recent event marking his 60th birthday, Amaechi had stated that he and “millions of Nigerians are hungry,” and suggested that President Bola Tinubu could be voted out in the 2027 elections with help from the opposition.


Wike, who appeared visibly displeased with the remarks, dismissed them as “politically motivated.” He questioned how someone like Amaechi—who had held significant political offices for over two decades—could claim to be hungry.


Reacting to Wike’s comments, Abati, during a June 3 broadcast, accused the FCT Minister of being “disrespectful and rude” to a political figure who played a key role in his rise to prominence.


Responding on Friday, Olayinka said:


“Mr. Reuben Abati is not here today, and I wasn’t expecting him. From his recent commentary, it’s clear he has taken up the role of media aide to Rotimi Amaechi.

I was shocked to hear him turn himself into Amaechi’s spokesperson. If that’s now his role, he should excuse himself from Arise TV and go do the job properly.”


Olayinka also alleged that Abati did not consider Wike “rude or disrespectful” in the past when he had sought the Minister’s support.


During the broadcast, co-host Rufai Oseni refuted claims that Abati was deliberately absent due to Olayinka’s appearance. According to Oseni, Abati had called in sick and was not on air for that reason.