Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has urged human rights lawyer Femi Falana to verify facts before making public statements, insisting that criticism over the movement restrictions during Saturday’s Area Council elections was unfounded.
Speaking to the press on Sunday after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Wike said: “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. You can’t just wake up, and you heard somebody said this, and you can’t even verify before you make comments.”
The minister was responding to concerns over the temporary movement restriction imposed from 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21.
Wike clarified that the measure was approved by the President and intended to ensure a smooth and peaceful election.
“I’m working under the President, and the President gave approval. So, I did not impose the curfew,” he said, adding that the President has the authority to implement movement restrictions based on intelligence reports.
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. You can't just wake up, and you heard somebody said this, and you can't even verify before you make comments.
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) February 22, 2026
– FCT Minister Nyesom… pic.twitter.com/23zQUhFo0Z