Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has debunked media reports alleging that the minister deliberately boycotted the recent Council of State meeting in Abuja due to disagreements with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The reports circulating online claimed that Wike snubbed the high-profile meeting following President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), allegedly against Wike’s supposed preference for another candidate.
Reacting through his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, October 10, 2025, Olayinka described the publication as baseless and misleading. He stated unequivocally that Wike could not have attended, let alone boycotted, the Council of State meeting because he is not a statutory member of the body.
The Council of State is an advisory organ of the Federal Government, comprising the President, Vice President, all former Presidents and Heads of State, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, and the governors of the 36 states. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory is not listed among its members.
Olayinka, in a pointed response to those spreading the claim, wrote: “Sowore does not even know that the FCT Minister is not a member of the Council of State. Or how do you boycott a meeting of an organization you don’t belong to?”
He further urged the public to disregard the unfounded report, stressing that misinformation of this nature only fuels unnecessary political tension. Olayinka reiterated that Wike remains focused on his duties as FCT Minister and is committed to supporting the policies of President Tinubu’s administration aimed at improving governance and national development.
