Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesperson, has denied claims made by Lere Olayinka that he and his wife solicited financial assistance from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Abati described the allegations as lies and stated that he has never approached Wike for money.
He 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, I place a clear disclaimer.”
Abati also denied being politically affiliated with Rotimi Amaechi, saying he is not Amaechi’s spokesperson and doesn’t have his phone number.
He stated, “I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I have his phone number. That’s a fabrication.”
Abati explained that his absence from a TV show was due to a pre-scheduled book review commitment, not to avoid discussing Wike.
He added, “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.”
Abati stood by his comments about Wike, saying public officials should remain subject to public scrutiny.
He said, “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.”