Wike Aide Fires Back at Sowore Over Alleged U.S. Properties

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has responded sharply to activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore over claims that the FCT Minister’s wife owns properties in the United States.

In a statement on Saturday, Olayinka dismissed Sowore’s allegations as a diversionary tactic, accusing him of seeking to distract Nigerians from his own controversial past.

“He is running riot about purchase of properties in the United States. Did the Minister deny that his wife has properties in the US? Is it a crime to own property abroad through inheritance or lawful purchase?” Olayinka questioned.

He further challenged Sowore’s credibility, referencing past controversies surrounding the activist. “Is that Sowore’s defence for publishing falsehoods and labelling the President a criminal? Or for allegedly collecting $3 million to sell a governorship ticket and remaining silent over killings in Rivers State in 2019?” Olayinka asked.

The minister’s aide also likened Sowore’s activism to a form of fraud, claiming that his financial dealings with foreign donors were questionable. “Sowore can only run and hide under his so-called Cashtivist platform for a while. He will soon reach the end of his scamming wit,” he stated.

Earlier, Sowore had tweeted that Wike should be held accountable under U.S. law if he attends the UN General Assembly in New York, alleging that Wike’s wife and children hold Florida properties suspected to be linked to money laundering.

Sowore claimed that such assets fall under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, aimed at recovering illicitly acquired funds and prosecuting foreign officials involved in financial crimes.

The controversy adds to ongoing debates about Nigerian public officials’ overseas assets and accountability.