Sunday, 26 May 2013
President Jonathan’s Spokesman, Reuben Abati, Further Sidelined
Presidency sources, one of them close to Reuben Abati, a special adviser on media affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, have told SaharaReporters that Mr. Abati has been sidelined recently and openly shares his apprehensions about being fired anytime.
One source, a confidante of the president, told SaharaReporters that Mr. Abati’s fears are well-founded. “Mr. President is only waiting to be sure that Dr. Abati does not pose any threat to his second term ambition before sacking him,” said the source.
Last Friday, Mr. Abati spoke with State House correspondents on the chronic fuel crisis that has engulfed Abuja, the nation’s capital. But a few hours after the briefing, the embattled presidential spokesman realized that what he told the media conflicted with the views expressed by two of Nigeria’s powerful ministers, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Finance and Diezani Allison-Maduekwe, the Minister of Petroleum. Both ministers are currently at loggerheads over illegal and inflated payments to fuel importers.
Shortly after realizing the faux pas, Mr. Abati made frantic efforts to contact reporters and implore them to ignore his views on the fuel crisis. One reporter told SaharaReporters that Mr. Abati pleaded that the security of his job could be threatened unless they stood down his briefing.
SaharaReporters learnt that some of the reporters asked Mr. Abati to call their editors since their reports had been filed several hours before his call came, and since they were in no position to instruct their superiors to drop stories.
A senior journalist with a Lagos-based newspaper who is close to Mr. Abati told SaharaReporters that the presidential spokesman “has not been enjoying a smooth relationship with members of President Jonathan’s kitchen cabinet since the appointment of Dr. Doyin Okupe as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs.” Mr. Okupe has since assumed the role of the president’s attack dog.
Presidential office sources said First Lady Patience Jonathan had expected that Mr. Abati would be a robust attacker of the president’s opponents, and that she was furious that the former chair of the editorial board of The Guardian decided to stand aloof as opposition parties and newspaper critics went to town against both Mr. Jonathan and his wife. Mr. Okupe was brought in at the insistence of Mrs. Jonathan who felt that Mr. Abati had failed to stand up to many forces who assailed the First Lady for recklessly spending public funds to acquire funds for a meeting of First Ladies of African nations.
“The First Lady complained several times that she had received verbal bashing from the media without Dr. Abati coming to her rescue,” said one source.
A reporter who covers the Presidency told SaharaReporters that, in an effort to minimize the risk of saying something that might rile the president’s inner circle, a rattled Mr. Abati recently responded to inquiries about the fuel crisis that has grounded Abuja by directing the reporter to Mr. Okupe.
“Dr. Okupe did not disappoint, as he quickly issued a statement, appealing to Nigerians to continue to stick with the government as the fuel crisis is resolved.”
A source in the Presidency disclosed that one of the recent signs that Mr. Abati’s days are numbered is the planned appointment of Ken Wiwa, Jr., the son of hanged writer and environmental agitator Ken Saro-Wiwa, to a newly established office of “senior special assistant on civil society and international media.” The post puts Mr. Wiwa on the same level as Mr. Abati, and gives him primary responsibility for managing the president’s international image and contacts with foreign reporters.
Before now, Mr. Wiwa as well as Bolaji Adebiyi worked under Mr. Abati’s management. “With Ken’s elevation, it will be clear that Dr. Abati’s role in the Villa is as good as useless,” said a source who is close to the president. He said that Mr. Okupe has taken charge of the domestic sphere and that Mr. Wiwa would assume control of foreign media relations for President Jonathan, leaving Mr. Abati in a sinecure.
We asked a close friend of Mr. Abati’s whether the presidential spokesman would resign in order to avoid the humiliation of being fired. The source ruled out that option. “Dr. Abati is definitely not considering the option of resignation. That’s out of the question,” the source insisted.
I say this for one@lydia who
I say this for one@lydia who just outsourcing abati disgraceful trip so far to God."That bro jona keep d yam n blade and tha God will not allow there responsibility to materialise". God will never b on d part of abati and it's obligatory on us to power that blade in d arms of bro jona down d yam.
Nigerian problems
This is the only sensible and practical comment on the matter of govt vs the people. the leaders we have are a true reflection of the people we are. Abati, Okukpe GEJ, or anyone else for that matter. If we do not change as a people and demand more of ourselves and leaders nothing will change! as we say in the delta "All na story" .
Nigerian problems
This is the only sensible and practical comment on the matter of govt vs the people. the leaders we have are a true reflection of the people we are. Abati, Okukpe GEJ, or anyone else for that matter. If we do not change as a people and demand more of ourselves and leaders nothing will change! as we say in the delta "All na story" .
Can't our government do
Can't our government do something better with our money instead of paying people to tell lies and defend their inactivity? Na wa for Naija
Enough loot to meet the responsibilty of 2 wives b4 being fired
Before the mumu Reuben Agbaya Abati is fired he would have looted enough to meet his responsibility of his excess luggage of acquiring a second wife. If he likes let him die there na em sabi.
abati is a numbskull!
This abati critized constrctively though every govt in power. Now he is gone like the wind. Abati is the greatest disaapointment in Nigerian history. I sugest he hangs himself.
The return of Investigative Journalism?
This is to SR and our numerous Media Houses. When will investigative journalism return to Nigeria? Immediately after the death of Dele Giwa, journalism has become kobo kobo and brown envelop reporting. Instead of all these chasing the shadow reporting, can journalists begin to write better stories and digging deep with better stories. I belive this will help our society more and inform the masses better than all the bolekaja stories that bring no value to the development of the mind.
Abati
I totally disagree with those who say Abati disagreed with Jonathan over matters that have to do with principle. Abati should have known right from the onset that he was going to work for a corrupt government, defend corruption and justify it. Nigerians are no fools. No amount of PhDs can fool Nigerians. You can go to the best university in the world, you cannot change truth to be false.
“Dr. Abati is definitely not
“Dr. Abati is definitely not considering the option of resignation. That’s out of the question”. If this is true then Abati must be the biggest fool I have ever heard of. If he is someone with a brain in his head, the day Okupe entered the villa is the day he should have resigned. But who wan miss awuf money for villa? Nobody! Not even Abati.
prof okey ndibe is damn right on his column
Just recently prof okey,sayz that we nigerians alwayz outsourced our little problems to God, even when we knw is within us to make change oursefs. I say this for one@lydia who just outsourced abati disgraceful outing so far to God."That bro jona hold d yam n knife and tha God will not allow there duty to materialise". God will never b on d side of abati and it's incumbent on us to force that knife in d hands of bro jona down d yam.wot av abati done to better d life of d masses tru his aide job to jona,for 9jas to begin canvas for his continuos hang around on aunty pepe kitchen. Land scammer and chemeleon abati should stay back in abj after his sack to continue his land grabbing underhand deal that he cherished. To thou tenth oh! Isreal
Still on Abati
Before Mr. Abati took this his big job, I used to read his usually lengthy articles on the papers. He wrote on virtually everything from political economy to the ladies' G-string panties, he was that huge and I looked forward to reading from him. However since his new job, I have resented hearing from him. Whenever this guy talks on behalf of his master, he sounds unconvinced, childish and funny. He even finds it difficult to lie properly like a Nigerian. The disconnect is too wide. Many of his statements are rather sycophantic and do not generate the impression he intends to induce. He therefore is becoming a liability to his employers, I was too sure he was going to need help soon. Its only a pity that he has lost his position on the high horse, after this sojourn he can no longer trouble the computer keyboard writing the big article about how to run Nigeria better, because as it is now, he is the worst spokesman I ever witnessed at the presidency.
The "MISFIT", The "HUSTLER", The "STAND-IN"!
Doyin Okupe is a MISFIT. Reuben Abati is a HUSTLER and the President himself is a STAND-IN - all operating freely in our body polity. VERY SOON, TIME WILL RID US OF ALL OF THEM and we will sing aloud ALLELUIA! ALLAH WAQBAR! GOD IS GREAT!
Abati is still better than Okupe
Okupe is very scary in everything. He is what bulldog and bulldozer are made of , combined.
Abati is a Moron
Good outfit Abati. You really look as dummy as your boss. The design should save you from being fired. You better start to look for new job.
Correction pls
Point of correction
Dr Reuben Abati LLB, BL,Ph'd-Specail Adviser- Media and Publicity and not SSA-ill informed block heads
The rest are Senior Special Assistants who must be seeking promotion to his office by paying people like you to propagate this outrages and lies
Anymassa @Typical
Anymassa,as your name sounds, you are an unthinking Animal. It is even an insult to animals to refer to you as one! what is your grouse with the Yorubas or Awolowo? I am sure it is pure jealousy.
Whatever tribe you are, my advise to you is to channel your energy towards re-orientating yourself and your type by;
1. Having heroes (Like Awolowo) with credible and visible means of livelyhood with proven track record of public service and not just a stolen-money-bag with no visible means of livelyhood.
2. Stop lusting after public funds!
Get over your insecurity/jealousy. Nigeria is a free country, you can become whatever you want if you work hard at it. so, there is no need to stigmatize the Yorubas
What do you expect from
What do you expect from elements, msuch as ABATI, who have no moral conviction.
The day of judgement has come! Others like him should think with their heads and not their belles.
stop criticizing Dr. Abati
I have always respected Dr. Abati and will always do. If the presidency decides to sideline him then it implies that he has refused to compromise on issues that has to do with principle. We should be very careful the way we attack our leaders. The problem with Nigeria is not President Jonathan, the problem is Nigerians.
God guy Abati
Abati is still a great guy you can see that on his face. He was appointed simply to silence the Guardian guy but the guy will wake up again. Jona will not fire him but give him a ministerial appointment (minister of state) because if fired, there is tendency he will open his lips and reveal a lot going on in the corridor of power. He is still Jonathan's right hand man and friend. The buldozer recently appointed is there for money because he is broke. Within the next year he will be fired. Abati is a good man and will apologise to Nigerians inc ase he is fired.
too much media aids
Reuben Abati - SSA to the President (Media)
Reno Omokri - SA to the President (Social or New Media)
Doyin Okupe - SSA to the President (Public Affairs)
Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr - SSA to the President (International Media)
prof okey ndibe is damn right on his column
Just recently prof okey,sayz that we nigerians alwayz outsourced our little problems to God, even when we knw is within us to make change oursefs. I say this for one@lydia who just outsourced abati disgraceful outing so far to God."That bro jona hold d yam n knife and tha God will not allow there duty to materialise". God will never b on d side of abati and it's incumbent on us to force that knife in d hands of bro jona down d yam.wot av abati done to better d life of d masses tru his aide job to jona,for 9jas to begin canvas for his continuos hang around on aunty pepe kitchen. Land scammer and chemeleon abati should stay back in abj after his sack to continue his land grabbing underhand deal that he cherished. To thou tenth oh! Isreal
You failed d day you wrote an article defending GEJ
Abati, your time is up. Get a rest by going for a course outside the country. wish you well in your thinking
is reuben abati yoruba man
DR REUBEN ABATI IS NOT A YORUBA MAN,HE IS FROM EDO STATE,NIGER-DELTA,I THINK FROM AKOKO-EDO AREA,A PARTLY YORUBA SPEAKING AREA,JUST LIKE FORMER POLICE IGP,EHINDERO.THEY HAD NEVER OPENLY ASSOCIATE THEMSELVES AS YORUBA PEOPLE.
The name of Reuben is cursed!
Maybe Dr Reuben Abati should change his name because it is cursed. A cursed person will multiply the curses upon those he is 'protecting' or 'promoting' their image
One way of sacking SA Media's to President
Plant stories on Sahara Reporters and you are sure at removing any SA Media to President Jonathan. A test case is IMA NIBORO. The war started with SAHARA REPORTERS and the next in line is REUBEN ABATI. If they succeed by their projections the next one will be KEN SARO-WIWA or DOYIN OKUPE the DOG
Like somebody said in Nigerian journalism there are no friends and colleagues. What matters is who is paying more.
Probably Jonathan is stupid but this is a test. Meanwhile, he hates Sahara and their reports and doesnt take them seriously. This he told Nigerians so if you like kill Abati he cannot die.
A first class scholar is a first class citizen couple with his called to bar and a doctorate degree.
Dull heads just get it
ON YOUR OWN!
you have succeeded in ranting like an ant. Thank God u are all alone, so,drown alone. People like u are meant for zoo!
Abati
I hope he has made money; surely that was the consideration for taking the job. I too would have considered taking the job, even though it would hurt my soul severely. But I'm tired of suffering - since I was born. I need a break! Anyways, Abati had a very good job before the adventure; it must be greed. I've never had a good job, all my life. I need prayers, my friend. And pray for Abati too.
Submission
Its a lesson for we here to live up to our creeds even in the face of temptatious appointment
I like this
Abati in the eyes of enemies. It is laughable. Like a swarm of bees, some of these faceless people here are his press corp members who he must have in one way or the other disagreed with. The corp controllers and their deceitful allies who he has also in one way or ther favoured but because its a fight for control for hangers on in the corridors of crumbs the fight must go on.
Lets wait for the next story
ABATI SACKED and you will see how it plays out for the off roads who find solace only in the villa corridors waiting for the next bride-SA,Media that they can control and shares loots.
I was there and I know them all small thieves that also write for Sahara Reporters
Laugh!Laugh!!Laugh!!!
Tribalist
Mr Anonymous, your comment was very disparaging. I guess your type would do the exact same thing Abati did. And I know for certain you are a tribalist. I pray someone like you never gets in a position of power because it would be a regime of nepotism/tribalism. I would suggest you stay at home and not make money if you feel the average man who endeavors to have a means of livelihood is an ibo man. Kindly stick to the fact which is that Abati was tempted by the millions of naira he wanted and sold his soul to the god of money whose current high priest is GEJ.

