REUBEN ABATI'S ATTACK ON WIKE ON ARISE TV, BETWEEN TRUTH AND FICTION BY NNAMDI ABANA

I watched Reuben Abati react to Wike's attack on his person. Abati is visibly angry with Wike for trying to dent his journalism career. Abati was livid, he reminded us of his column which he has run for several years, he does not fail to remind Nigerians that he's been a journalist since 1983.

Wike is brutal when it comes to the use of words. He spares no one and is unafraid to express his disgust toward his political enemies. I cannot easily forget how he lambasted a traditional ruler in Rivers State who attended an even Wike had with traditional rulers. Wike called him a small boy and reminded him how small he was while in school. Then Wike attacked his regalia which made him look advanced in age. He said he dressed like Uthman Dan Fodio which made the whole attendees erupt in laughter even though he was buffetting their colleague.

Now, Wike went hard on Abati by attacking his career but Abati was inflamed by the verbal missiles released by Wike against his person. Wike has a prominent office which makes his words resonate across the nation while Abati has a fast-rising platform that Nigerians pay attention to. It reminds me of the saying that action and reaction are equal and opposite. In reacting one must exercise wisdom in order not to go overboard and shoot himself on the foot. Abati in reacting strongly against Wike shot himself in the foot. Abati tried so hard to disabuse the minds of Nigerians of the “bad seed” sown by Wike against his person. Wine referred to Abati as a politician. The ascription of the title politicians is making Abati hit his head on the wall in anger against Wike.

Was Abati's reaction necessary? No. Everybody knows that Abati was a journalist and now a politician cum journalist. I don't know why Abati is denying his political side, after all, Abati is a card-carrying member of PDP, he served under President Jonathan for several years and became a gubernatorial running mate to the late controversial Buruji Kashamu in 2019. So, Abati is both a politician and a journalist. Once a politician, always a politician.

Nnamdi Abana

02/08/2022