According to a report by Arise Television, Arise TV, one of Nigeria’s prominent news broadcasters, is under scrutiny after Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, launched a pointed criticism at the network and veteran journalist Reuben Abati during a live appearance on The Morning Show. Abati, a former presidential spokesperson and regular co-host of the program, was conspicuously absent during Olayinka’s interview — a move that has sparked questions about journalistic neutrality and professional ethics.
Olayinka, speaking at 11:31 AM WAT, wasted no time in questioning Abati’s role at Arise TV, accusing him of partisanship. “I was not expecting him to be here because he took the position of special assistant on media to Rotimi Amaechi,” Olayinka said. “To be professional and operate normally, Reuben Abati should not be among those interviewing me”, he added.
The statement is said to add fuel to an ongoing debate about media objectivity, especially as political tensions rise between allies of Wike and those of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Abati’s alleged political alignment, though unconfirmed, became a flashpoint in the conversation, with Olayinka insisting that Abati’s presence would have compromised the interview’s impartiality.
President Tinubu’s aide Daniel Bwala reacts to the interview as he criticize via a post on X (formerly Twitter) and also send message to the TV station owner saying, “They are gradually undermining the credibility of that powerful station. The owner should look into it before they bring down his many years of effort and labour building that brand.”
