Many Influential Nigerians, Including Obasanjo, TY Danjuma, Call Me Over Lands, And I Resolve It – Wike Defends Clash With Naval Officer
By Our Correspondent
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to his recent clash with Naval Officer Lieutenant A.M. Yerima over a disputed land allegedly linked to 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 called the “brazen impunity” of the retired naval chief for allegedly deploying active officers to guard a private property involved in the dispute.
Responding to public criticism of his personal visit to the scene, the minister said he acted within his duties as a government official, insisting he could not sit idly while public officers are being attacked and government property is being violated.
“How can I sit as a minister when government officials are being attacked and beaten, officials at the level of directors? And I’ll sit in my office doing nothing?” he asked.
Recall that Wike was involved in a heated exchange on Tuesday with a naval officer, Yerima, over a plot located at No. 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja, said to belong to a former naval chief.
The minister accused the retired officer of illegal development on the land and confronted him for allegedly assaulting staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority who had gone to halt the ongoing construction.
Addressing the matter on Thursday, the former Rivers State governor criticized the use of military personnel to block lawful enforcement activities by FCT officials.
“Many influential Nigerians have had similar land issues. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former head of state and president, will call me. He’ll say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ and I’ll resolve 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 call,” Wike said.
The minister also criticized the naval officer for allegedly calling police officers on the scene “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,” he stated.
Wike, however, maintained that he holds the Nigerian military in high regard and understands its importance, affirming that his confrontation was not with the armed forces but with a private individual.
“I have respect for the military, and I’ll continue to respect them. I am familiar with the institution’s values and principles. 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.
Earlier reports indicated that the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) condemned what it called “reckless and uncivil behaviour” by public officials like Wike, warning that such conduct damages Nigeria’s image and erodes confidence in the nation’s governance system.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), who also heads Transparency International (TI) Nigeria, the organization said that public office demands restraint, humility, and discipline, not arrogance or abuse of power.
“Public officials are supposed to be civil and civilised in carrying out their responsibilities and must understand the code of conduct that guides public office,” Rafsanjani stated.
“The idea of public officials attacking security personnel is unacceptable and sends the wrong message about the nation. They must be role models, not symbols of impunity.”
CISLAC responded to the recent public altercation between Wike and a military officer, describing it as “gross indiscipline and recklessness unbecoming of a public officer.”
According to the group, Wike’s conduct reflects “a consistent pattern of arrogance and lack of emotional control,” dating back to his years as governor of Rivers State.
