Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed criticisms from individuals described as “hustlers masquerading as activists,” vowing not to be distracted by their antics.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the FCT Minister, in a statement on Saturday, accused certain critics of operating as “professional scammers” who thrive on blackmailing public officials.
Olayinka alleged that the ongoing backlash against Wike stems from the minister’s refusal to yield to their demands for patronage.
“While growing up in Okemesi Ekiti, my grandfather taught me never to wrestle with pigs because, at the end of the fight, sane minds won’t be able to differentiate between you and the pig,” Olayinka said. “As a matter of principle, we won’t dignify some people with a response.”
Olayinka accused some self-styled activists of exploiting their platforms for personal gain, including misappropriating funds and leveraging blackmail schemes to extort public officials.
“Some of these so-called activists jump from one platform to another because Wike has refused to play their ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ games. Their tactics are simple: make noise in the media or organize protests, then send emissaries to negotiate payments. Once paid, they move on to their next targets,” he claimed.
Citing personal encounters, Olayinka recounted how, in 2016, an individual approached him during his bid for the National Publicity Secretary position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a proposition to monetize activism by attacking public officials.
“Today, that same individual parades himself as an activist. But Wike is not someone who plays their games, and that’s why they are frustrated,” Olayinka added.
Addressing allegations of land grabbing against Wike, Olayinka challenged accusers to present evidence. He argued that the ongoing removal of shanties in the FCT, which some have criticized as land grabbing, was necessary for public safety.
“Calling the removal of shanties that pose security threats ‘land grabbing’ is an indication of wasted education,” he said. “People occupied lands without authorization, built houses under trees using planks and tarpaulins, and turned them into settlements. These are not legitimate claims to land.”
Citing the case of a shanty in Wuye near a residential estate and rail line, Olayinka said the occupants admitted they had no authority to occupy the land and acknowledged that the settlement had been cleared 22 times under previous administrations.
“Their only request was relocation, and their representatives met with the FCT Ministry on Tuesday. If this is what these hustler-activists are labeling as land grabbing, I pity those who still believe in their credibility,” he stated.