Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has advised prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, to ensure factual accuracy before making public comments on governance issues. The directive follows criticism from Falana regarding the FCT administration’s decisions surrounding the recent Area Council elections.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Wike specifically responded to Falana’s objections. The lawyer had previously faulted the Minister for declaring a public holiday ahead of the Area Council polls and imposing a curfew in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Wike stated, “With all due respect, Femi Falana must not always comment just because he wants to comment. Comment on something you know about and have facts on.” He emphasized the importance of verification, noting that one should not “wake up, and you hear somebody said this, and you can’t even verify before you make comments.”
Addressing the specific measures, Wike explained that the movement restrictions were implemented based on security advice. “It was Mr President’s approval that movements should be restricted because of security report that people are trying to bring in hoodlums,” he said, adding, “It’s not everything you must comment. And if you must comment, go and find out and know what actually happened.”
The public holiday and curfew were enacted by the FCT Administration in the period leading to the Area Council polls held on February 3. The administration cited the need for a secure environment for the electoral process. Falana, a senior advocate known for frequent commentary on public affairs, had publicly described the actions as illegal and unnecessary.
This exchange underscores the sometimes-contentious dynamic between senior government officials and vocal civil society figures in Nigeria. It also highlights the balance between administrative decisions on public order and the right to public critique. The Minister’s remarks suggest a preference for public commentary to be grounded in confirmed operational details, particularly concerning security and electoral matters in the Federal Capital Territory. The interaction reflects broader discussions about the scope of public discourse on governmental actions in Nigeria’s democratic space.
