A dramatic controversy erupted on social media after claims surfaced that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, was barred from entering Aso Rock Presidential Villa during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The allegation, shared by U.S.-based self-styled journalist Jackson Ude on his X handle (@jacksonpbn), suggested that Wike was allegedly intoxicated when he welcomed the visiting Prime Minister at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
In his tweet, Ude implied that Wike’s supposed behavior led to him being blocked from the Presidential Villa during the official visit.
“Baseless Lies,” Says Wike’s Aide
Reacting swiftly to the claims, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and New Media, dismissed Ude’s allegations as “utter falsehood” and accused the journalist of spreading “sponsored lies.”
Olayinka clarified the sequence of events during the high-profile visit.
He explained that Wike officially welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the airport on Saturday evening.
“After receiving the Indian Prime Minister, Wike accompanied him to his hotel as instructed by the President,” Olayinka stated.
On Sunday morning, Wike reportedly returned to the hotel to escort the Prime Minister to the Presidential Villa for the next phase of his visit.
“Photographs Don’t Lie”
Olayinka revealed that photographic evidence supported his version of events.
“We have attached pictures showing the Minister with the Prime Minister at the hotel and later at the Villa,” he said.
“These pictures are enough to deflate Jackson Ude’s balloon of lies,” he added.
According to Olayinka, the allegations were part of a pattern of misinformation from Ude, whom he described as a “sponsored liar.”
A History of Controversial Claims
Olayinka accused Ude of having a track record of spreading falsehoods against prominent Nigerians.
“This is not the first time Jackson Ude has made outrageous claims,” he alleged.
Citing a previous example, Olayinka recalled how Ude once claimed that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello had fled Nigeria through Niger Republic with the help of Defense Minister Bello Matawalle.
“That same Yahaya Bello, who Jackson Ude claimed had fled, appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on September 18, 2024,” Olayinka noted.
“How does Ude explain this? He doesn’t. He simply moves on to peddle the next set of lies.”
“We Won’t Be Dignifying Him Again”
Olayinka expressed frustration at having to repeatedly counter Ude’s claims.
“Ordinarily, we would ignore characters like Jackson Ude, but his antics are becoming too frequent,” he said.
He added that Ude’s actions were aimed at tarnishing the reputations of high-profile Nigerians for personal or political gain.
“From now on, we will not dignify him with responses,” Olayinka declared.
