The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has addressed his confrontation with Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, a serving naval officer, over a disputed plot of land reportedly belonging to retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike criticized the retired naval chief for allegedly using serving officers to guard the contested property.
Responding to critics of his visit to the site, the minister questioned how he could remain passive while government officials were allegedly being attacked.
“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.
Wike was involved in a heated exchange on Tuesday with the naval officer at No. 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja. He accused the retired officer of carrying out illegal construction on the land and confronted Yerima after staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were allegedly assaulted while attempting to stop the development.
The minister condemned the use of military personnel to obstruct lawful enforcement actions by FCT officials.
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“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 stated.
He also criticized the naval officer for allegedly insulting police officers on the scene.
“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 said.
Wike, however, emphasized his respect for the Nigerian military, clarifying that his dispute was with an individual, not 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. 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.