Atiku’s Aide Reacts After Wike’s Aide, Lere Olayinka Mocked Chidi Odinkalu And His Wife

The Special Adviser on Media to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has responded to comments made by Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, after Olayinka mocked human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu and his wife, Iheoma Obibi, on social media.

The controversy began when Olayinka, in a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, October 25, 2025, accused Odinkalu and his wife of promoting LGBTQ rights and betraying former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

In his post, Olayinka alleged that Odinkalu, who once chaired the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), turned against Jonathan despite being appointed by him.

Olayinka wrote:

“President Jonathan appointed Chidi Odinkalu as Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. But Odinkalu teamed up with LGBTQ promoters to work against Jonathan.”

His post quickly drew widespread criticism from social media users, who accused him of making personal attacks rather than engaging in meaningful political debate.

Many viewed the remarks as part of a broader trend of online hostility targeting individuals for their human rights advocacy and personal beliefs.

In response to Olayinka’s statement, Paul Ibe took to his verified X handle to defend Odinkalu and his wife, describing them as respectable and accomplished individuals.

He dismissed the attack as unnecessary and pointed out that Iheoma Obibi’s decision to retain her maiden name should not be a subject of ridicule or public commentary.

Ibe wrote:

“By the way, Chidi Odinkalu’s beloved wife, Iheoma Obibi, is an accomplished woman. Chidi is not the only person that I know whose wife bears her maiden name. It has not in any way diminished the extraordinary wife and mother she has been.”

The media adviser’s response was widely praised by commentators, who commended him for maintaining a tone of civility and defending Odinkalu against what they described as a personal and baseless attack.

Observers noted that the exchange highlights the increasingly toxic nature of online political discourse in Nigeria, where social media platforms are often used as battlegrounds for partisan attacks and character assassination.

Chidi Odinkalu, a well-known human rights lawyer, academic, and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, has long been recognized for his advocacy on justice reform, civic rights, and government accountability.

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His wife, Iheoma Obibi, is a respected feminist, author, and executive director of the Alliances for Africa, an organization that promotes gender equality and social justice. Read – More