There is new clarification from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, following a confrontation between his officials and military personnel at a disputed plot of land in Abuja. The Minister insists he acted within the law and says respect for institutions must go both ways.
It all began on Tuesday with the dramatic intervention of Wike as he tried to access what his office said was an illegal construction in Gaduwa District of Abuja.
The Nyesom Wike-led team arrived at a parcel of land also alleged to have been illegally acquired and found armed personnel from the Nigerian Navy guarding the site.
What followed was a verbal showdown between Minister Wike and a uniformed naval officer, identified in some reports as Navy Lieutenant A. Yerima.
The minister accused the military personnel of over-stepping their mandate and obstructing his access. The officer though, insisted he was simply following orders and that everything was above board.
In the video, the verbal exchange escalates, with Wike calling the officer a “fool” and challenging him over his position, while the officer replies: “I’m not a fool, sir.”
The land in question is said to belong to a former Chief of Naval Staff and is alleged to have been acquired under dubious circumstances. Wike claims the former naval chief was scammed in the deal and that the military presence was an intimidation tactic.
Video’s of the incident have since gone viral with many putting the blame of the confrontation on the Minister while praising the calmness of the uniformed officer.
Several high-profile voices have also weighed in with some demanding that Wike apologises for publicly insulting a uniformed officer and disrespecting the institution of the armed forces.
But the minister is digging deep and defending his position. At a media conference in Abuja, he addressed what he calls the misinformation surrounding the face-off.
Wike clarified that the property in question is being developed by a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, now a private citizen, not an active military officer.
The Minister said he intervened personally after reports that government officials were being harassed by soldiers guarding the disputed site. He described the incident as “unfortunate,” but emphasised that the law applies to all citizens – regardless of their status or past position.
Wike also recalled that prominent leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and one-time Defence Minister, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma, had previously contacted him directly to resolve land matters through proper channels.
The Minister further reacted to comments credited to former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), who described the confrontation as a national security concern.
Wike maintained that he has no regrets about confronting what he described as political intimidation and vowed that no divisive tactic – whether ethnic or religious – would derail his administration’s commitment to enforcing Abuja’s development laws.
The FCT Administration says it will continue its crackdown on illegal developments across Abuja, warning that all citizens – including former public officials – must comply with approved land regulations.
For now though, Nigerians are watching and waiting to see what happens next.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
