Prominent journalist and ARISE News Morning Show anchor, Reuben Abati, has publicly invited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to appear on the programme, insisting that the minister would be subjected to tough questioning if he honours the invitation.
Naijaonpoint reports that Abati made the remark during Tuesday’s edition of the ARISE News Morning Show, where he questioned Wike’s frequent media engagements outside the studio while avoiding direct interviews with the programme’s panel.
Speaking on the show, Abati claimed that Wike lacked the confidence to face the Morning Show crew, stating that the minister preferred selective media chats where he controlled the narrative.
“He has gone from Abuja to Port Harcourt, only God knows where he is going for another media chat,” Abati said.
He added, “He doesn’t have the confidence to come to this studio. Let him come, he will sweat, even with the AC. In this studio, we will make him sweat. Let him come here.”
Abati’s remarks drew attention on social media, with many Nigerians reacting to the challenge thrown at the former Rivers State governor.
Earlier on the programme, Abati also took a swipe at Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, accusing him of excessive loyalty and sycophancy.
The former presidential spokesman criticised Olayinka for publicly kneeling to serve the minister, describing the act as unbecoming of a media professional.
According to Abati, such conduct reflected blind loyalty rather than professionalism in public service.
In a swift response, Olayinka fired back at Abati, lambasting him and describing the former media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan as a failure.
Olayinka’s reaction further escalated the war of words, turning the exchange into a public media spat between both camps.
As of the time of filing this report, Wike has not responded to the invitation by the ARISE News Morning Show or to Abati’s remarks.