“Wike Claps Back at Dele Momodu Over June 12 Comments: ‘You Used the Struggle to Japa'”

“Wike Claps Back at Dele Momodu Over June 12 Comments: ‘You Used the Struggle to Japa'”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at Ovation magazine publisher Dele Momodu, following the latter’s recent remarks questioning Wike’s role in Nigeria’s democratic history, particularly regarding the June 12 struggle.

The backlash came via a statement from Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister. Olayinka accused Momodu of engaging in “persistent and unwarranted attacks” against Wike, describing his actions as obsessive and irrational.

“The self-appointed chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to have graduated from psychology to psychosis, such that he now sees Wike in everything he does, even in his sleep,” Olayinka said.

He took aim at Momodu’s political influence, highlighting his poor showing during the PDP presidential primary in 2022.

“Was Wike responsible for that? Or why this obsession with anything Wike?” he asked.

Olayinka was reacting to a recent television interview in which Momodu questioned Wike’s democratic credentials, asking, “Where was Wike during the June 12 struggle?”

In response, Olayinka offered a sharp retort:

“Where was Dele Momodu too when Nigeria was being founded? Was he among the founding fathers of Nigeria, living in the country?”

The war of words marks yet another chapter in the ongoing feud between both political figures. Olayinka challenged Momodu’s credibility and involvement in the June 12 movement, alleging that he used the struggle as a means of escape from Nigeria.

“He only used the June 12 struggle to Japa. He didn’t struggle for anything other than his own well-being.”

“Those who genuinely struggled for June 12 didn’t use the children of the man who incarcerated MKO Abiola till he died in custody, as a model for any photo book, as done by Dele Momodu.”

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“They also did not go about visiting the mansions of Military Generals to take pictures for publication as done by Dele Momodu with his Ovation Photo Book.”

“Therefore, when the register of those who fought for the actualisation of June 12 is being taken, people like Dele Momodu, who used it to hustle, should stop forcing their names into it.”

Olayinka concluded by suggesting that Momodu has no moral authority to dictate who can or cannot speak on Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

“Since in the warped mindset of Dele Momodu, those who were not part of the June 12 struggle are not entitled to speak about democracy in Nigeria, I think those who were not part of the struggle for the independence of Nigeria should also not live in the country.”