Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has commented on the recent confrontation between his principal and naval officer A.M. Yarima in Abuja.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Olayinka emphasized that not every directive from a superior should be automatically followed. He noted that only instructions that align with the law are obligatory.
He added that while discipline is vital in the armed forces, it should not supersede legality. “Not all orders deserve obedience simply because they come from a superior. Only lawful commands should be executed,” he said.
Olayinka’s statement comes after Tuesday’s tense encounter at a disputed site in Abuja, where Wike, accompanied by officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), sought to stop what he described as an illegal construction project. Reports indicate that military personnel stationed there resisted, leading to a heated exchange that quickly went viral online.
The aide’s remarks have generated widespread discussion on social media, with opinions sharply divided.
A user named Agusolomon: “Mr. Lere, with all due respect, you’re making a mockery in that studio. Do you even realize what you’re saying?”
Another commenter, Yomtom, reminded Olayinka: “@lereolayinka, whose orders were those soldiers following when you worked under Fayose in Ekiti?”
Entparrot added: “This man is out of touch. How can he equate a criminal act like rape to the orders given to that young officer?”
Similarly, One Afterlife argued: “His point makes no sense. Who would ever order someone to commit something like that? Do you even hear yourself?”
See post below:
Wike vs. Military Dispute: Not all orders are meant to be obeyed because they are coming from your superior, except if they are lawful.
– Lere Olayinka, SSA Publicity & Communications to The FCT Minister, reacts to the Wike-Military dispute over land in Abuja.#SunriseDaily… pic.twitter.com/ugiYCiJifT
— Channels Television (@channelstv) November 12, 2025