The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations suggesting he was barred from the Aso Rock Presidential Villa during the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Nigeria.
The controversial claim originated from independent journalist Jackson Ude, who alleged via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account that Wike was intoxicated when receiving the Indian Prime Minister at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Saturday. Ude further claimed that a security source informed him of Wike’s purported barring from Aso Rock.
In response, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, issued a statement debunking the allegations and providing a detailed account of the Minister’s activities. According to the statement, Wike was entrusted by President Bola Tinubu with the responsibility of receiving and escorting Prime Minister Modi.
“Fact is, the FCT Minister led the Prime Minister to his hotel from the airport and, on Sunday morning, accompanied him to the Presidential Villa to complete his duty,” the statement read.
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Olayinka further criticized Ude’s history of misinformation, citing past claims by the journalist, including an allegation that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello fled Nigeria—a claim disproven when Bello appeared at the EFCC headquarters on September 18, 2024.
The statement continued: “Jackson Ude has a history of spreading falsehoods about high-profile Nigerians. Despite photographic evidence showing the Minister fulfilling his duties, he continues to peddle baseless accusations. We will no longer dignify his lies with further responses.”
The clarification from Wike’s team comes as photos and videos surfaced online showing the Minister’s presence during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit, further countering Ude’s allegations.
This development has sparked conversations online, with some questioning the credibility of the journalist’s sources and the motives behind such accusations while others jubilating over Wike’s alleged ordeal.
