A war of words has erupted between the camp of FCT Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe and Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Kennedy Mbele, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Senator Kingibe, accused Olayinka of peddling falsehoods and engaging in personal attacks instead of addressing governance issues raised by the Senator.

Mbele described Olayinka’s comments as “childish and irresponsible,” particularly criticising what he called a “smear campaign” aimed at discrediting the senator. “It is only very dirty minds that can shamelessly accuse a 71-year-old mother and grandmother of immorality,” he said.

He also dismissed allegations related to non-payment of salaries in the senator’s office, stating that all disengaged aides were duly paid and provided palliatives at the time of their exit. “No aide resigned due to unpaid salaries,” Mbele clarified.

The controversy stems from an interview granted by Senator Kingibe in which she discussed challenges and policy concerns related to the FCT. Mbele emphasised that the interview did not contain any personal attack on Minister Wike, accusing Olayinka of deflecting from the real issues and launching unnecessary personal attacks.

“Lere jumped into a senior conversation and responded like a child,” the statement said. “Rather than defend his boss on substance, he chose character assassination.”

The media aide further warned that attempts to distract the public from governance issues in the FCT will not succeed, urging residents to disregard Olayinka’s “diversionary” comments and focus on pressing issues affecting their lives.

“If this is what Lere was hired to do, then we truly feel sorry for him—because he is bound to fail,” the statement concluded.