In a fresh twist to the political drama in Rivers State, Mr. Lere Olayinka, a senior aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), urging him to avoid misleading his clients regarding the Supreme Court judgment on the Rivers Assembly crisis.
Falana had earlier stated during a national TV interview that the Supreme Court ruling did not address the legitimacy of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He was analyzing the court’s stance on the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Assembly—a matter that has sparked major controversy.
Olayinka, responding through a statement released in Abuja, argued that Falana’s interpretation was incorrect. He explained that the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, under Justice Emmanuel Obile, dismissed a case filed by the Labour Party against the lawmakers’ defection, basing his decision on the Supreme Court’s judgment. According to him, this ruling effectively put the defection issue to rest.
“Falana went on national television to wrongly advise his clients that the Supreme Court didn’t address the defection,” Olayinka said. “It’s misleading and contradicts what the court decided.”
Olayinka also took issue with Falana’s claim that only three members of the Assembly could function legislatively. He pointed to Section 96 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which clearly states that one-third of the Assembly’s members is required to form a quorum, making Falana’s assertion invalid.
The FCT minister’s aide didn’t stop there. He described Falana’s claim that only lawyers with courtroom experience can be appointed Life Benchers as “funny and ridiculous.” He defended Wike’s elevation to the prestigious Body of Benchers, citing his contributions to legal education in Nigeria.
“As Governor of Rivers, Wike played a vital role in establishing and developing the Nigerian Law School campus in Port Harcourt—widely regarded as the best in the country. He also supported the Yenagoa campus with a 1,500-capacity hall and modern hostels,” Olayinka added.
Now serving as FCT Minister, Wike is continuing his support by constructing housing quarters for the Law School in Bwari, Abuja, and providing operational vehicles for the institution’s activities.
The back-and-forth between Falana and Wike’s camp adds another layer to the ongoing Rivers political crisis that has captured national attention.
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