Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has spoken out on the recent altercation between his boss and a naval officer, A.M Yarima in Abuja.
Speaking during Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Olayinka stated that not every instruction from a superior officer must be obeyed.
He stressed that only orders consistent with the rule of law should be followed.
Olayinka Explains His Position
The media aide argued that discipline within the armed forces should not override legality, saying: “Not all orders are meant to be obeyed because they come from your superior. Only lawful orders should be carried out.”
His remarks follow Tuesday’s heated confrontation between Wike and naval officers at a disputed site in Abuja.
The FCT Minister had led officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to halt what he described as an illegal construction project.
However, military personnel guarding the area reportedly resisted, leading to a tense exchange captured in viral videos.
Nigerians React Online
Olayinka’s comments have sparked widespread debate online, with many Nigerians expressing contrasting views.
A user identified as Agusolomon wrote: “Mr. Lere, with due respect, you are constituting nuisance in that studio. Can you even listen to yourself?”
Another commenter, Yomtom, recalled: “@lereolayinka, whose orders were those soldiers obeying when you worked for Fayose in Ekiti?”
Similarly, Entparrot criticised Olayinka, saying: “This guy is a fool. How can he compare rape to the order given to the young officer?”
One Afterlife added: “The point he made is meaningless. How can a superior possibly order someone to rape his daughter? Do you even hear yourself?”
Watch the video here…
Wike vs. Military Dispute: Not all orders are meant to be obeyed because they are coming from your superior, except they are lawful.
– Lere Olayinka, SSA Publicity & Communications to The FCT Minister, reacts to Wike -Military dispute over Abuja lnad.#SunriseDaily#CTVTweets pic.twitter.com/xYe5XISnpZ
— Channels Television (@channelstv) November 12, 2025