KACHIKWU DECRIES ‘GROWING NATIONAL INTOLERANCE’ OVER WIKE–NAVAL OFFICER CLASH
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has expressed concern that the nationwide uproar over the confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lt. Ahmed Yerima, reflects a troubling rise in national intolerance.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Kachikwu said the heated public reaction to the viral altercation had exposed a growing tendency among Nigerians to justify illegality once the target is a disliked public figure. He accused what he described as a “vocal minority” of driving the outrage, insisting that many reactions were influenced more by personal resentment toward Wike than by the facts of the incident.
“Today I weep for Nigeria because we are becoming a nation of people fuelled by hate of anything government,” he said. “They have let their hatred for this man, who is perceived to be a bully and the President’s bulldog, cloud their judgment.”
Kachikwu, who labelled the uproar “unacceptable,” urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene, alleging that some senior government officials including the Minister of Defence appeared to have taken sides prematurely.
He argued that both Wike and Lt. Yerima were provoked during the confrontation, yet public anger had overwhelmingly targeted the FCT minister. According to him, Wike acted in his official capacity as a presidential representative, while the naval officer obstructed legitimate government operations under the instruction of a retired general.
“Can a retired General without a commission give an order superior to that of a serving minister? Does the military code of conduct supersede the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” he questioned.
The clash, recorded in a viral video, occurred during an inspection of a disputed plot of land in Gaduwa District, sparking a nationwide debate on civil-military relations, rule of law and institutional hierarchy.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru and Minister of State Bello Matawalle have appealed for restraint as the controversy continues to divide public opinion.
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