Veteran Journalist and Spokesperson of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, has slammed Rivers state governor Nyesome Wike over his comments on the interview granted to Atiku Abubakar on Arise TV.
Wike had accused Reuben Abati of reporting stories surrounding the aftermath of the presidential primaries of the People’s Democratic Party without verifying its authenticity.
Responding to Wike’s tantrums on Arise TV’s Morning Show, a programme he anchors alongside others, Abati knocked Wike for questioning his journalistic experience.
In Abati’s words, “Wike is not a position to teach me journalism. Wike does not have the intellect to teach me journalism. Wike will have to spend more than a year studying my body of work. I’ve been writing for the Nigerian press since 1985.”
He went further to compare the Rivers governor to angry child who needs “lollipop” to be placated.
Governor Wike does not have the capacity and the intellect to teach me journalism – Dr. Reuben Abati
Anchor of The Morning Show on ARISE News, Dr. Reuben Abati responds to what seemed a pointed attack by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. pic.twitter.com/9jwt6gh62D
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) August 1, 2022
Abati’s outburst has since garnered mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media.
See some reactions below:
I guess at this point, a Reuben Abati and Nyesom Wike interview would be a cracker
— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) August 1, 2022
At this point, they should put Dr Reuben Abati and Wike in a ring for them to settle their score as men.
— Ofuji Peter Obi (@MistaChika) August 1, 2022
Reuben Abati is one of the problems we have in Nigeria. He constantly hides behind “I am a professional journalist” to talk rubbish. Why defending Atiku openly against @GovWike Wike. Abati is always interested in beer parlour issues instead of how to make Nigeria better. Shame!
— Chukwuneze (@Chukwuneze2) August 1, 2022
The fact that you’ve been doing something for a long time doesn’t mean you’re an infallible standard.
Can Reuben Abati stop embarrassing himself on national TV? People who bring up the age and experience argument over fact and truths are almost always lying and deflecting.
— Jay???????????? (@jayjayzayna) August 1, 2022
This is very unprofessional disposition and lack of emotional balance from Reuben Abati. https://t.co/xomEYBmSUZ
— Akanni Of Lagos ???? (@2muchAkanni) August 1, 2022
You can tell from Reuben Abati's utterances that he is an interested party in the ongoing PDP crisis.
Oga if you are a politician, come out openly and say so. Nobody will beat you. No dey disguise.
— Chris (@Topboychriss) August 1, 2022
This Reuben Abati guy is the one who will end up destroying Arise TV with his tantrums and overbloated sense of pride.
You are accusing Wike of throwing tantrums while you are doing the exact same thing on live TV.
Politician disguised as a journalist. Hubristic man! pic.twitter.com/fpFnqiqy86
— CHIZOM (@iam_polymath) August 1, 2022
Abati is a PDP man. Partisan politicians should not be allowed into journalism. The same Reuben Abati that was SSA to Goodluck Jonathan on media matters that year. He's not a credible journalist, he can't be because of his political career.
— Adebayo Oluwatoyin (@iamt_hansom) August 1, 2022
Wike should guard his tongue, he is a State governor, picking on Reuben Abati for granting an interview with Tinubu wasn't necessary.
— Man DC (@iam_mandc) August 1, 2022
