Lere Olayinka Hits Back at Deji Adeyanju Over Abuja Flooding Criticism
A former media aide and political commentator, Lere Olayinka, has criticised lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju over his comments on flooding in parts of Abuja following Saturday’s heavy rainfall.
Olayinka, in a statement titled “Deji Adeyanju and His Gang of Flooded Brains,” dismissed what he described as Adeyanju’s repeated criticism of the Federal Capital Territory Administration led by Minister Nyesom Wike.
According to Olayinka, the flooding recorded in some parts of Abuja after the heavy downpour was not a new phenomenon, arguing that the capital city had experienced similar incidents long before Wike assumed responsibility for the FCT.
He cited flooding reported in parts of Wuse, Jabi and Lokogoma in 2019, as well as incidents recorded in 2022 around Lokogoma District, Efab Estate, Gudu and connecting bridges.
Olayinka said the latest flooding should instead be viewed as a reminder of the challenges confronting a rapidly expanding city whose drainage infrastructure, waste management systems and enforcement of planning regulations have struggled to keep pace with urban development.
He accused Adeyanju and others of using the incident to attack Wike, alleging that they had portrayed Saturday’s flooding as evidence that the FCT minister had “destroyed Abuja.”
Olayinka argued that flooding in Abuja predated Wike’s tenure, asking rhetorically whether the former minister could have been responsible for the flooding recorded in 2019.
He also accused Adeyanju of previously defending a controversial development involving the construction of a school and church on land allegedly granted for recreational purposes.
The statement further blamed the activities of scavengers who allegedly remove drainage covers, exposing drainage channels to refuse and thereby contributing to blockages and flooding.
Olayinka said the FCT Administration was already taking measures to address the problem, including reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to reflect the present realities of the capital city.
He added that the administration was also deploying drainage covers designed to make it more difficult for scavengers to remove them.
While acknowledging the seriousness of flooding in the nation’s capital, Olayinka maintained that the solution required long-term planning, improved drainage infrastructure, proper waste management and stronger enforcement of development regulations rather than political blame.
He concluded by mocking Adeyanju’s understanding of urban planning and governance, saying the lawyer’s criticism reflected a lack of understanding of the complexities involved in managing Abuja.
