The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly denied reports suggesting that he was barred from entering the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on account of being intoxicated.
In a statement addressing the rumors, Wike emphasized that the claims are unfounded and misleading.
The report, initially brought to light by independent journalist Jackson Ude, alleged that Nyesom Wike was intoxicated during his reception of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Saturday.
According to the claims, Wike’s alleged state of inebriation raised concerns about his professionalism and ability to represent the country during such a diplomatic engagement.
In response to the allegations, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, clarified that the minister was specifically directed by President Bola Tinubu to receive Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and escort him to his hotel.
Olayinka stated that Wike fulfilled his responsibilities as instructed and firmly stated that he was not barred from entering the Presidential Villa.
This statement aims to reaffirm Wike’s professionalism and dedication to his official duties amidst the swirling rumors surrounding his conduct during the high-profile visit.
He said, “Fact is, the FCT Minister led the Prime Minister to his hotel from the Airport, and it was from the hotel that he (Wike) led the Prime Minister to the Presidential Villa on Sunday morning, where his duty ended.
“Up till now, Jackson Ude is still spinning lies to defend his initial lies. But for us who know his antecedents, we will not dignify him henceforth.
“After all, this same Jackson Ude said in many tweets that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, had fled Nigeria, through Niger Republic. He even accused the Minister of State of Defense, Bello Matawalle, of helping Yahaya Bello to escape to the Niger Republic.
“However, the same Yahaya Bello that Jackson Ude said had fled Nigeria showed up at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on September 18, 2024.
“How the same man Jackson Ude claimed ‘Matawalle mobilized eight military personnel to escort to Niger Republic via Kebbi State, through the border town of lllela, in two dark-tinted Hilux pickups and a Land Cruiser’ was at the EFCC office on September 18, he (Ude) has not explained.
“Rather, he has jumped to peddling other lies against high-profile Nigerians, the latest being the FCT Minister. As usual, now that we have released pictures of the FCT Minister in his hotel with the Indian Prime Minister on Saturday and on Sunday morning at the Presidential Villa, Jackson Ude, will try to spin more lies to defend his initial lies. But like I have said, we won’t be bothered.”
During the visit to the country, Modi was conferred the country’s second highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) by President Tinubu.
The President also held Nigeria-India bilateral relationship discussion with Mr Modi at the Presidential Villa.