Wike Speaks Out After Clash with Naval Officer Over Abuja Land Dispute

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has broken his silence following his heated confrontation with Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, a naval officer, over a disputed plot of 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 expressed anger over what he called the “brazen impunity” of the retired naval chief, accusing him of using active-duty naval personnel to guard a private property under contention.

Addressing criticisms that he overstepped by personally visiting the site, the minister defended his action, saying he had every right — and duty — to protect government property and ensure law enforcement officers aren’t assaulted while doing their jobs.

“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 questioned.

The incident, which took place on Tuesday at Plot No. 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja, saw Wike and the naval officer in a tense face-off after staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were allegedly assaulted while attempting to stop ongoing construction on the land.

Wike condemned the use of military officers to intimidate government workers, emphasizing that even Nigeria’s most respected leaders handle disputes with humility and due process.

“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo would simply call me and say, ‘Minister, I have a problem with a land, can you help?’ and I’ll resolve it. General T.Y. Danjuma does the same. None of them sends soldiers to attack anybody,” he said pointedly.

The minister also took issue with reports that the naval officer had referred to police officers as “bloody police.”

“Nobody should talk like that. You say you’re a commissioned officer — to God be the glory — but these same government officials you’re insulting are the ones who made you what you are,” Wike added.

Despite the clash, the former Rivers governor stressed that he has nothing but respect for the Nigerian military, describing the incident as a “private matter” and not a confrontation with the armed forces as an institution.

“I have respect for the military and I’ll continue to do so. I know what the institution represents. I’m not a fool; I went to school. So anyone saying I have a problem with the military is wrong. This issue is about a private individual, not the institution,” he clarified.

However, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has criticized Wike’s conduct, describing it as “reckless and unbecoming of a public officer.”

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), who also heads Transparency International Nigeria, CISLAC urged public officials to exhibit restraint, humility, and discipline, rather than arrogance or abuse of power.

“Public officials must act with civility and understand the code of conduct that guides their offices,” Rafsanjani said. “The idea of public officers attacking security personnel is unacceptable. They should be role models, not symbols of impunity.”

CISLAC further argued that Wike’s behavior reflects “a consistent pattern of arrogance and lack of emotional control,” pointing to similar controversies during his tenure as Rivers State governor