The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended his recent confrontation with a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, during a dispute over a parcel of land located in Gaduwa District, Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.
Wike, who addressed journalists on Thursday before the Federal Capital Territory Executive Council meeting, explained that his reaction stemmed from the need to protect government officials performing their lawful duties.
According to him, he could not remain silent while public officers under his administration were physically attacked or harassed in the line of duty.
“How can I sit as a minister when government officials are being attacked and beaten up, officials at the level of directors? And I’ll just sit in my office doing what?” he asked rhetorically.
The land in question, situated at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, is reportedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retired). Wike said his visit to the site was prompted by reports that a serving naval officer was providing security for an ongoing construction project despite official orders halting development.
He described the situation as a breach of protocol and a clear abuse of power, condemning the retired naval chief for deploying serving military personnel to guard private property.
“Many influential Nigerians have had similar land issues. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former head of state and president, will simply call me. He’ll say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ and I’ll solve it. That is a former head of state — a former president — who has the courtesy to call the minister. General T.Y. Danjuma will do the same. They never sent soldiers to attack anybody. They just call,” Wike explained.
The minister further criticized the naval officer involved for allegedly referring to the Nigeria Police Force officers present at the scene as “bloody police.”
“Nobody talks like that. A security man saying, ‘Bloody police! Who are these bloody police that will talk to you?’ You say you’re a commissioned officer, to God be the glory, but it is these same government officials you’re beating — the ones who made you what you are,” Wike added.
Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State in southern Nigeria, clarified that he harbored no animosity toward the Nigerian Armed Forces, emphasizing that his confrontation was not against the military as an institution but against individuals abusing authority.
“I have respect for the military, and I’ll continue to respect them. I know what the institution stands for. I’m not a fool; I went to school. So anyone trying to suggest I have problems with them is wrong. I have no problem with the military, and I never will. Why would I have issues with the government? But this is a private matter,” he said.
Wike’s remarks have since stirred wide public debate on civil-military relations in Nigeria and the proper limits of official authority within the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
Okay News reports.
