The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has addressed his confrontation with a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, over a disputed plot of land allegedly owned by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd).
Speaking to journalists ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike condemned what he described as “an act of impunity” by the retired naval chief, accusing him of deploying serving officers to guard a private property.
The minister explained that his visit to the site was in response to reports that staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were assaulted by military personnel while enforcing development regulations.
“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.
Reports earlier in the week indicated that Wike had a heated exchange with the naval officer at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja. The minister alleged that the retired naval chief was illegally developing the land and using soldiers to obstruct FCDA officials sent to halt the construction.
Wike criticized the use of military personnel for private purposes, noting that other influential Nigerians with similar land disputes had always followed due process.
“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,” he said.
The minister also condemned the alleged verbal abuse directed at police officers by the naval officer during the altercation.
“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 stated.
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Clarifying his stance, Wike stressed that he had no personal issues with the Nigerian military, maintaining that his confrontation was strictly about enforcing government regulations and not an attack on the armed forces.
“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. I have no problem with the military and never will. But this is a private matter,” he said.
