Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded sharply to recent criticism from media personality and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dele Momodu.
Momodu, in a televised interview on Wednesday, questioned Wike’s credentials to speak on Nigeria’s democratic journey, particularly the historic June 12 struggle.
“Where was Wike during the June 12 struggle? Who knew him then? But today, he speaks as if he’s the founding father,” Momodu had said.
In a statement issued Thursday, Olayinka dismissed Momodu’s remarks, suggesting the Ovation Magazine publisher was fixated on Wike and in need of “rehabilitation.”
“Dele Momodu appears obsessed with Wike.
His fixation has reached the point where he sees the Minister even in his sleep,” Olayinka claimed. “If his logic is that only those who took part in the June 12 struggle have the right to speak about democracy, then, by the same reasoning, those who didn’t fight for Nigeria’s independence shouldn’t live in the country.”
Olayinka also challenged the authenticity of Momodu’s involvement in the June 12 movement, accusing him of using the struggle for personal gain.
“He didn’t struggle for anything beyond his own interests. Genuine activists didn’t use the children of the man who jailed MKO Abiola as models in photo books, nor did they tour military generals’ mansions for glossy publications,” he said.
According to Olayinka, Momodu’s actions disqualify him from being recognized among the true advocates of the June 12 cause.
“When the register of June 12 heroes is compiled, Dele Momodu’s name should not be forced into it,” he added.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions within the PDP and broader political discourse surrounding historical contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.