The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has broken his silence on the recent confrontation with a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, concerning a disputed plot of land reportedly owned by former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd).
Speaking to journalists on Thursday ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting, Wike criticised what he described as the retired naval chief’s “impunity” for deploying serving officers to protect the contested property.
Responding to those who questioned his decision to personally visit the site, the minister said he could not ignore reports of government officials being assaulted while carrying out their duties.
“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.
Earlier reports indicated that Wike and Lieutenant Yerima had engaged in a heated exchange on Tuesday at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja — a piece of land said to belong to the retired naval chief. The minister accused Gambo of illegally developing the property and condemned the alleged assault on Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) staff who attempted to stop the ongoing construction.
Addressing the issue further, the former Rivers State governor decried the use of military personnel to obstruct lawful enforcement by FCT officials.
“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 said.
He also faulted the naval officer for allegedly referring to police officers on 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,” he stated.
Wike, however, clarified that his actions were not targeted at the Nigerian military as an institution, stressing that he holds deep respect for 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