The media aide to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has hit back at lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju over his criticism of the administration following flooding in parts of Abuja.
Adeyanju had accused the FCT administration of failing to address the capital’s flooding challenges, with the latest criticism coming after heavy rainfall on Saturday caused flooding in several areas of the city.
But Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social Media, dismissed the criticism, arguing that flooding in Abuja long predates Wike’s tenure.
In a statement on Monday, Olayinka said the FCT Administration was aware of the latest flooding and was taking measures to reduce the risk of future incidents.
He cited previous flooding in parts of Wuse, Jabi and Lokogoma in 2019, as well as incidents in Lokogoma, Efab Estate and Gudu in 2022, as evidence that the problem was not new.
“Abuja has been witnessing floods long before Wike assumed office,” Olayinka said, while accusing Adeyanju of using the latest incident to attack the FCT administration.
He attributed the city’s flooding challenges partly to its rapid expansion, saying drainage infrastructure, waste management and enforcement of planning regulations had not kept pace with urban growth.
Olayinka also blamed the alleged theft of drainage covers by scavengers, saying the exposed drains were subsequently vulnerable to being blocked by refuse.
He said the FCT Administration was reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to reflect the changing realities of the capital and was introducing drainage covers designed to make them more difficult to remove.
The exchange comes amid renewed public scrutiny of the FCT Administration’s handling of flooding and urban planning in Abuja, with Adeyanju among the prominent critics calling attention to the city’s environmental and infrastructure challenges.
While the administration insists that the latest flooding should be viewed against Abuja’s longstanding drainage and planning problems, critics continue to demand stronger measures to prevent recurring floods and protect residents and property.
