The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) against what he described as habitual commentary on issues without proper verification.
Wike spoke on Sunday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, responding to Falana’s criticism of the public holiday declaration and movement restrictions imposed ahead of the FCT Area Council elections.
Falana had faulted the minister’s decision to declare a public holiday and enforce a curfew in the nation’s capital, questioning the legality and necessity of the measures.
Reacting, Wike insisted that the restrictions were approved by the President based on security intelligence.
“With all due respect, Femi Falana must not always comment just because he wants to comment,” Wike said.
Comment on something you know about and have facts on. You can’t just wake up, hear that somebody said this, and you can’t even verify before you make comments.
It was Mr President’s approval that movements should be restricted because of security reports that people were trying to bring in hoodlums.”
The FCT minister maintained that not every issue requires public commentary, urging critics to seek accurate information before making public statements.
It’s not everything you must comment on. And if you must comment, go and find out and know what actually happened,” he added.
The exchange has added another layer of political tension following the recently concluded Area Council polls in Abuja.
