There was a time when Lere Olayinka was simply the man behind the microphone, explaining, defending and sometimes fighting back on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In recent days, however, the outspoken media aide has become the story himself.
Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike, has found himself at the centre of a growing public conversation after two separate confrontations over Abuja’s controversial demolition exercises culminated in a dramatic live television interview on Arise TV.
What began with a heated exchange with residents on radio has now turned into a social media storm over his conduct, his approach to criticism and the increasingly difficult job of defending an administration whose policies have generated strong emotions among Abuja residents.
The demolitions
The first episode unfolded on Wednesday, September 2 when residents of Darki-Biyu, a community in the Jabi area of Abuja, protested the demolition of their homes.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration had given affected residents 72 hours to vacate structures marked for demolition. When the deadline expired, the demolitions commenced.
Residents who appeared on Human Rights Radio described the experience in deeply personal terms.
One resident said his house had been demolished and that his wife and newborn had been forced to seek shelter elsewhere. Others said they had lost houses they had spent years building or properties they intended to rent out. Some said they were left sleeping in vehicles or outside after their homes were pulled down.
When contacted by the Human Rights radio team( Brekete family) led by Ahmed Isah widely referred to as Ordinary president, Olayinka claimed that the victims were well aware of the demolition order on their properties but refused to comply.
Additionally, he claimed that a notice had been issued two years ago. What followed afterwards was an exchange of words between Lere Olayinka and the Ordinary president. Mr Olayinka warned the radio presenter about speaking to him in an insulting tone.
Isah also responded by asking him to respect himself adding that he (olayinka) had insulted him previously while answering a question he asked during the programme. He said respect ypureslf so that others can respect you”.
Arise TV Interview
On September 4, Olayinka appeared on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, where he was expected to engage with the programme’s anchors, including Rufai Oseni.
Instead, the interview quickly became confrontational. Oseni put a question to Olayinka, but the FCT minister’s aide declined to answer questions from him. Olayinka said he did not want to engage with Oseni, arguing that he preferred to have the conversation with “reasonable human beings.”
The remark immediately changed the mood of the interview.
He accused the anchor of using the Yoruba term “gbewudani” and said he would not participate in a conversation conducted in that manner.
Co-anchor Ayo Mairo-Ese quickly stepped in and reminded Lere Olayinka that the programme had three anchors and that he could not simply decide which journalist he would answer.
When Olayinka maintained his position, Mairo-Ese ended the interview. The exchange lasted only minutes, but it quickly travelled far beyond the studio.
Read Also: Lere Olayinka blasts Fubara, says governor weak if Wike controls Rivers Assembly
Question mark on Olayinka’s character
Following the incident, Olayinka faced widespread criticism across social media platforms, with numerous users condemning his choice of words and asserting that public officials must remain prepared to handle tough scrutiny and challenging questions.
Videos of the confrontation spread across social media, with Nigerians debating whether Olayinka was justified in refusing to answer Oseni or whether, as a government spokesperson appearing on a public affairs programme, he should have simply answered the questions.
Many social media users have expressed displeasure over Olayinka’s conducts and manner as a ministers aide.
SEE REACTIONS BELOW
A user Fagbenro Oyedamilola Daniel said ” Lere an elder that speaks like a leaf”.
Sheriff-John Ogundana said, “Oga Lere is a pure clown and a disgrace”.
Another user wrote, I didn’t know Lere was this stwepid
Tomide Olowalafe wrote, Egbon Lere Olayinka is a bush man. Ara oko!
A different user said, “very shameful act I love how that lady balanced him. He could have just gave a defensive response to such questions.
Backstory…
The latest confrontation did not come out of nowhere. Olayinka and Rufai Oseni have had a strained relationship for some time, with their disagreements repeatedly spilling into their on-air encounters and across tweets and comments across social media.
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