I can’t sit and watch government officials being beaten up, Wike defends his face-off with soldier
Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has defended his recent confrontation with a naval officer, A.M. Yerima, over a disputed plot of land allegedly linked to a former chief of naval staff, Awwal Zubairu Gambo.
Speaking with journalists before the FCT executive council meeting on Thursday, Wike accused the retired naval chief of “impunity” for allegedly deploying serving officers to guard the contested property.
He dismissed criticism of his visit to the site, saying he could not remain passive while government officials were being assaulted in the line of duty.
“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 stay in my office doing what?” Wike asked.
The minister faulted the use of military personnel to obstruct lawful enforcement activities carried out by FCT officials. He cited examples of other senior Nigerians who had handled similar land issues with civility.
“Many influential Nigerians have had land issues. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former head of state and president, would simply call me and say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ and I’ll handle it.
“That’s a former president who has the courtesy to call. General T.Y. Danjuma does the same. They never send soldiers to attack anybody,” he said.
Wike also condemned the alleged remarks by the naval officer who reportedly referred to police officers at 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’s these same government officials you’re beating, the ones who made you what you are,” he said.
While stressing that he holds the Nigerian military in high esteem, Wike maintained that his issue was with an individual, not the institution.
“I have respect for the military, and I’ll continue to respect them. I know what the institution stands for,” he said.
“I’m not a fool; I went to school. So anyone suggesting I have a problem with them is wrong. This is a private matter, not a fight with the military.”
