In a fiery appearance on Arise TV this morning, Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, launched a blistering attack on former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and Arise anchor Dr. Reuben Abati. Responding to Amaechi’s claim that Wike is a “child,” Olayinka reminded viewers that Wike was Amaechi’s campaign DG in 2011 and led the push to install him as governor in 2007. “When Amaechi ran to Ghana, it was Wike who stayed back to fight,” he said, dismissing Amaechi as a man “who lived on government money for 23 years and now claims to be hungry.”
Olayinka didn’t stop there, he accused Abati of personal bias, claiming the journalist sought Wike’s help during an EFCC case. “When he had Dasuki money issues, he and his wife knew the road to Wike’s house,” he declared, calling Abati a “bully” who should “excuse himself from journalism” if he wants to be a politician. The Arise anchors, visibly rattled, tried to defend Abati – absent from the broadcast – explaining he was ill, not dodging the confrontation.
Asked whether Wike’s political spats were distracting him from governance, Olayinka fired back: “From June 10 to July 3, 17 projects will be commissioned, 10 of them by the president himself.” He insisted Wike remains focused and undeterred, while promising more “truths” to come.
