Renowned media personality and Arise Television anchor, Reuben Abati, has criticised Lere Olayinka, the media aide to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for kneeling publicly before his boss. The incident sparked controversy and heated discussions on social media and in political circles.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Abati described Olayinka’s action as a display of extreme sycophancy. He said while sycophancy has long been a feature of Nigerian government and politics, the act of kneeling publicly for a superior was excessive.
“Think of the very high point of it: when our good friend came and knelt down trying to serve the master. What is all this?” Abati asked rhetorically during the broadcast.
He added that sycophancy has always existed within Nigerian government institutions, noting that during his time in government, there were occasions when people showed extreme loyalty to leaders, sometimes crawling or bowing to demonstrate submission.
“Look, when we were in government and I say this authoritatively, I was in government, sycophancy was a tradition there, before and after, generally in Nigerian government,” he said.
He further explained that during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, instances of excessive subservience were met with caution. According to Abati, President Jonathan would often tell people to stand up and stop kneeling, insisting he was not a monarch.
“In fact, I saw people crawling. This is how they behave. But Lere Olayinka maybe understands the game better than some of us, so he will kneel down and serve the master. But to what end?” Abati questioned.
Abati’s comments extended beyond the media aide to the broader network of political followers around Wike. He argued that public displays of extreme loyalty and servitude do not necessarily benefit the individual or the leader, cautioning that there is a limit to such behavior.
“So, for both Wike and his acolytes in the empire that he has created for himself, there is a time limit to all of this,” he said.
The criticism reflects a broader concern in Nigerian politics, where loyalty to political figures often manifests in public demonstrations that many perceive as excessive or unnecessary.
Lere Olayinka serves as a media aide to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, is known for his strong political influence and has cultivated a network of aides and supporters who assist him in media management and political mobilization.
Olayinka, as one of the minister’s aides, plays a key role in managing Wike’s public image and communication with the press. The kneeling incident, widely circulated online, was interpreted by many as an attempt to publicly demonstrate loyalty and respect.
However, the act has generated criticism from media experts, political analysts, and commentators like Abati, who argue that such displays do not align with democratic norms and professional conduct.
Abati’s criticism of Olayinka highlights a long-standing issue in Nigerian politics: the culture of sycophancy. In many government circles, aides and followers often engage in exaggerated displays of loyalty, sometimes to the point of public humiliation or submission.
While such acts are intended to endear officials to their superiors, critics argue that they undermine professionalism, discourage meritocracy, and perpetuate a culture of fear and excessive obedience.
Abati’s perspective draws on his experience as a former government official and media commentator. He stressed that leaders themselves often discourage such extreme gestures, as they can create an unhealthy dynamic between officials and their aides.
The kneeling incident and Abati’s comments have sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many Nigerians expressed concern that public officials engaging in such acts send the wrong message about governance and leadership.
Some commentators argued that kneeling or bowing in deference to superiors is incompatible with democratic values and reinforces hierarchical culture over respect for law and office. Others defended the act as a cultural expression of respect, particularly in contexts where traditional norms are highly valued.
The incident has reignited debates about the appropriate behaviour of aides, political staff and public officials in Nigeria. Media and political analysts have urged officials to maintain professionalism while serving public office holders, suggesting that respect and loyalty should be demonstrated through competence, accountability, and integrity rather than exaggerated gestures.