Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore over his request to use the Presidential Villa in Abuja for his campaign council inauguration.
Olayinka made the remarks during an interview on TVC, describing the request as an attempt by Sowore to attract public attention ahead of the 2027 general election.
The AAC had, on October 21, written to President Bola Tinubu seeking approval to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa on November 11.
The party also requested food, drinks and logistical support for about 5,000 participants expected at the event.
In its letter, the AAC argued that granting the request would demonstrate the government’s commitment to multiparty democracy and equal treatment of political parties. It also claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had used the facility for its campaign council inauguration.
Reacting to the development, Olayinka questioned the seriousness of Sowore’s request, suggesting that the activist was seeking publicity rather than making a genuine appeal.
“One of the candidates who have been making so much noise is Omoyele Sowore. In 2023, in 774 Local Government Areas, he had 14,600 votes. Even though I contested the House of Representatives in three local governments, I had over 11,000 votes,” he said.
Olayinka further mocked Sowore over the request, saying he might as well have asked to use the President’s bedroom.
The FCT minister’s aide also expressed confidence in Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, arguing that opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, lacked the political structure needed to defeat the incumbent president.
He added that the presence of multiple presidential candidates would not necessarily make the election competitive.
Sowore, however, has defended his party’s request, arguing that the Presidential Villa belongs to all Nigerians and that opposition parties should enjoy equal access to public facilities if the ruling APC is permitted to use them for political activities.
The request has sparked debate over the use of state facilities for partisan political activities and the principle of equal treatment of political parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
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