Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Adviser on Publicity and Communication to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that not every order from a superior officer deserves to be obeyed, especially when such directives are unlawful.
Olayinka made this known on Wednesday during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme monitored by Daily Post Nigeria. His comments came in response to the recent confrontation between Minister Wike and some personnel of the Nigerian Navy over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
According to reports, the clash occurred on Tuesday when officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) attempted to gain access to the land but were obstructed by armed military officers. The situation reportedly escalated into a heated standoff between both parties.
Reacting to the incident, Olayinka emphasized that blind obedience to authority often leads to chaos, noting that lawful orders must be distinguished from unlawful ones.
“Not all orders are meant to be obeyed just because they come from a superior,” he said. “Only lawful directives should be followed. What happened yesterday reflects a deep-rooted problem — our zero attitude toward compliance with due process, and it’s truly painful.”
The altercation between the FCTA officials and the Nigerian Navy has sparked public debate about the limits of authority and adherence to legal protocols in the nation’s capital.
