The spokesperson for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has strongly rebutted lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, who blamed Wike for the unprecedented flooding that hit Abuja over the weekend. In a statement titled “Deji Adeyanju and his Gang of Flooded Brains,” Olayinka accused Adeyanju of seizing the incident to attack the FCT Administration, asserting that flooding in the capital predates Wike's appointment as minister.
Flooding Incident and Adeyanju's Accusation
Videos shared online showed cars submerged in floodwater after a heavy downpour, prompting Adeyanju to label the crisis as a result of greed and lunacy on Wike's part. However, Olayinka countered that the heavy rainfall caused flooding in some parts of Abuja, but the water later receded. He emphasized that the FCT Administration is aware of the challenge and is taking steps to prevent future occurrences.
Olayinka described Adeyanju's suggestion that Wike had “destroyed Abuja” as misleading, noting that flooding has occurred in the capital multiple times before Wike's tenure. He questioned whether Wike could be held responsible for the 2019 floods, which were widely reported in the media.
Olayinka's Sharp Critique of Adeyanju
In his statement, Olayinka ridiculed Adeyanju, referring to him as an “Online Baseless Lawyer” who is “always looking for attention.” He said, “It is funny that characters like this Online Baseless Lawyer, who is always looking for attention, has been shouting ‘WIKE HAS DESTROYED ABUJA’ since yesterday, as if last Saturday was the first time some areas in Abuja got flooded.”
Olayinka further questioned Adeyanju's understanding of Abuja's urban planning challenges, stating, “But can an Online Baseless Lawyer, who studied LATE NIGHT LAW understand this? I don’t think so.” He argued that Adeyanju's comments reflect a lack of insight into the city's infrastructural issues.
Background and Impact
The flooding, which occurred on Saturday, affected several parts of Abuja, leading to widespread disruption. The FCT Administration has not yet provided a detailed response plan, but Olayinka assured that measures are being implemented to mitigate future flooding. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between government officials and critics over urban management in the nation's capital.
As the rainy season continues, residents remain concerned about the recurrence of such incidents, while the administration faces pressure to address the root causes of flooding in Abuja.
