A heated political debate erupted on social media today as Lere Olayinka, a prominent Nigerian commentator, publicly criticized media personality Reuben Abati for his remarks on Arise News. Abati had labeled Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike as “rude and disrespectful” toward former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, whom he described as Wike’s political “boss.” Olayinka’s sharp rebuttal on X has reignited discussions about political loyalty, influence, and hypocrisy in Nigeria’s political landscape.
In his post at 09:12 UTC, Wike’s aide Olayinka challenged Abati’s moral standing, accusing him of inconsistency. “The same Reuben Abati, who was comfortable being on campaign podium as running mate to a fugitive, who was wanted in America, will be forming Moral Police inside Arise TV studio,” Olayinka wrote, referencing Abati’s 2019 gubernatorial candidacy in Ogun State alongside Buruji Kashamu, a late PDP chieftain with legal troubles in the U.S. Olayinka also criticized Abati’s perceived bias, likening him to Labour Party supporter Rufai Oseni, stating, “Reuben Abati, a POLITICIAN, who has a clear political affiliation will be forming objectivity.”
Olayinka further disputed Abati’s claim of Amaechi’s political seniority over Wike. “When Amaechi was a House of Assembly member, Wike was a Local Government Chairman. When Amaechi ran to Ghana in 2007, Wike was in Nigeria, leading the charge to retrieve Amaechi’s mandate,” he argued, questioning the narrative of Amaechi’s dominance.
The feud is said to come amid heightened tensions between Wike and Amaechi, former allies turned rivals. Just a day earlier, on June 2, Wike dismissed Amaechi’s political influence during a media chat, stating, “They didn’t even get 10 percent, so what, he is influential? How?” Wike’s comments targeted Amaechi’s failure to deliver significant votes for PDP’s Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election despite his APC membership.
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