WIKE CLARIFIES REMARKS ON ABUJA CLASH, DENIES INSULTING MILITARY
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, asserted that he “would not have referred to a military personnel as a fool. ”
Wike made this statement during a press conference, following his recent confrontation with a naval officer, Lieutenant A. Yerima, regarding a purported land dispute in Abuja.
A notable clash transpired on Tuesday in Abuja’s Gaduwa District as armed military personnel, allegedly acting under the directives of retired Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, opposed Wike’s attempts to halt an unauthorized development on a contested piece of land.
The incident arose when officials from the FCT Administration (FCTA) arrived at Plot 1946 in Gaduwa to implement a demolition order on what authorities characterized as an illegal structure.
However, the operation faced significant resistance from uniformed officers stationed at the location. Former Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Gambo, served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.
Gambo’s name had reportedly emerged as the alleged owner or beneficiary of the contentious property.
Responding to the episode during a press conference, Wike indicated that his remarks had been misinterpreted, as he “would not have referred to a military personnel as a fool. ”
“Some individuals claimed I stated that the boy is a fool. What I intended to convey is that one cannot execute an illegal order. That is what I meant. I did not say, ‘Military, you are a fool. ’ I could not have uttered that,” he clarified.
“Those who are disseminating different narratives should investigate what truly transpired and engage in thorough investigative journalism. What I meant was that the soldiers were executing an unlawful command.
“I understand the role of the military and the function they fulfill in this nation, given their experience in combating insurgents and terrorists, and I have consistently extended my support to security agencies. ”
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, expressed that the dispute involving Wike and Lieutenant Yerima ought to have been addressed through official channels.
In an interview with DCL Hausa, released on its YouTube channel on Wednesday, Matawalle stated that the incident should have been resolved through administrative means rather than through public discourse, adding that the confrontation between Wike and Yerima was unnecessary and avoidable.
According to Matawalle, Wike had previously reached out to both the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, “who counseled him to allow the military to investigate the matter before taking any action. ”
“What occurred between Minister Wike and the officer is regrettable. When he arrived, the officer explained that he was merely following orders given to him. Wike should not have engaged in a verbal exchange with the officer; he should have addressed his concerns through the officer’s superiors,” Matawalle remarked.
Further elaborating, he noted that Yerima’s actions were strictly based on directives and commended the naval officer for maintaining a professional and disciplined demeanor throughout the encounter.
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