Reuben Abati And His Wife Visited Wike To Beg For Bailout When He Had Issues With The EFCC – Lere Olayinka

 

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that Reuben Abati, prominent journalist and Arise TV anchor, once sought financial assistance from Wike during a period of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Olayinka made the claim on Friday during a heated segment on Arise Television, where he responded to Abati’s recent criticisms of Wike. The minister had recently slammed unnamed individuals who, according to him, he once helped in difficult times but who now publicly attack him. Abati, while analyzing the remarks on his show, appeared to take issue with Wike’s tone and character comments that prompted Olayinka’s rebuttal.

“He Knew the Way to Wike’s House” — Olayinka Fires Back

Reacting strongly, Olayinka accused Abati of shedding his journalistic neutrality to act as a “spokesperson for Rotimi Amaechi,” Wike’s longtime political rival. He further accused the broadcaster of harboring hatred for his principal and using his platform on Arise TV to “vent personal grudges.”

“I was shocked to see him turning himself into a spokesperson of Rotimi Amaechi,” Olayinka said. “Since he has assumed that role, he should excuse himself from Arise TV and go and face it properly.”

He didn’t stop there.

Olayinka then dropped a bombshell, alleging that Abati and his wife had personally visited Wike to “beg for a bailout” during the fallout of the Dasuki arms deal scandal. Abati, a former spokesperson to President Goodluck Jonathan, was among several public figures questioned by the EFCC over funds allegedly traced back to Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser.

“When he had issues with the EFCC and had to refund the money he got from the Dasuki loot, he and his wife knew the road to Wike’s house,” Olayinka claimed. “They went there to ask for financial help, which they got. But back then, Wike wasn’t wicked or rude to him.”

 

“Drop the Moral Cloak” – Aide Challenges Abati’s Image

Olayinka further criticized Abati for what he described as moral grandstanding, calling him out for failing to acknowledge his own political past and connections to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“He always comes on this station as some sort of moral police,” Olayinka said. “But he will never admit he was once a politician and a PDP member.”

 

Background: EFCC, Dasuki Funds, and Media Scrutiny

Abati was in 2016 invited by the EFCC and later released on bail after reportedly refunding part of the funds he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser under Dasuki. At the time, Abati admitted that he was offered money during his time in government but denied any wrongdoing.

The new claims by Olayinka have reignited controversy around that era and have raised fresh questions about the lines between media, politics, and patronage in Nigeria’s elite circles.

As of press time, Reuben Abati had not responded to the allegations.