The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his controversial face-off with a naval officer over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja, saying he acted within his official mandate to protect government property and personnel from assault.
Wike, who spoke with journalists before the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, said his intervention at the disputed site in Gaduwa District was to stop what he described as “brazen impunity” by a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd.), who allegedly deployed serving naval officers to guard a private property under contention.
“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?” Wike asked.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, had sparked public criticism after videos surfaced showing the minister engaging in a heated exchange with a naval officer identified as Lieutenant A.M. Yerima.
The confrontation reportedly followed the alleged assault on officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) who had gone to enforce a stop-work order on the property at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District.
Reacting to the backlash, Wike accused some influential individuals of using the military to intimidate government enforcement officers. He, however, cited examples of other prominent Nigerians who, according to him, handled similar disputes with civility.
“Many influential Nigerians have had similar land issues. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo will call me and say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ and I’ll resolve it. General T.Y. Danjuma will do the same. They never sent soldiers to attack anybody. They just call,” Wike said.
He also faulted the naval officer’s alleged verbal abuse of police personnel during the altercation, describing it as unbecoming of a military officer.
“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, but it is these same government institutions that made you what you are,” he said.
The minister clarified that he had no personal issue with the Nigerian military, emphasizing his respect for the institution.
“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. Anyone trying to suggest I have problems with them is wrong. This is a private matter, not a fight with the military,” Wike explained.
However, his conduct has drawn condemnation from the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), which described his approach as “reckless and uncivil.”
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), who also heads Transparency International Nigeria, CISLAC said Wike’s public confrontation with the officer amounted to “gross indiscipline and arrogance unbecoming of a public official.”
“Public officials are supposed to be civil and civilised in carrying out their responsibilities. They must understand the code of conduct that guides public office,” Rafsanjani stated.
He added that such behaviour from senior government officials undermines confidence in governance and sends the wrong signal about Nigeria’s leadership culture.
“The idea of public officials attacking security personnel is unacceptable and passes a wrong message about the nation. They must be role models, not symbols of impunity,” he added.
While Wike insists his actions were necessary to enforce the law, the controversy has reignited debate over the limits of ministerial authority and the growing perception of impunity among Nigeria’s political elite.
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