Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday expressed disappointment over what he described as a misrepresentation of last Tuesday’s altercation with Naval officers led by Lt. A.M. Yerima.
The minister was responding to comments by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), who described Wike’s actions as a threat to national security and an affront to the authority of President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing reporters at his Life Camp residence, Wike dismissed Buratai’s call for him to apologise to Lt. Yerima over the incident in Gaduwa District, Abuja. He said the former army chief lacked the authority to lecture him on decency.
Wike also criticised Lt. Yerima for his role in the confrontation, which arose over a disputed land parcel previously owned by former Naval Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo—a property the FCT administration deemed illegally occupied. The minister accused the naval officer of following an unlawful order in violation of established law.
He said: “I read what the former Chief of Army Staff wrote. He cannot teach me decency. This is the same man who allegedly directed his GOC to manipulate the 2019 elections against me. He failed. He even instructed his officers to harm me, and I was unharmed. Yet now, he comments on my actions. I have never seen anything like this.”
Wike reiterated his commitment to his political stance and support for President Tinubu, saying he will continue to act within the law regardless of political opposition.
Regarding Lt. Yerima, Wike emphasised that as a minister representing the president, his authority should have been respected. “You are a commissioned officer, yes, but I am a Minister representing Mr. President. That alone demands decorum. Yet, you chose to challenge me. Carrying out an illegal order is unacceptable, even if it appears legal,” he said.
The minister concluded by urging all officials, regardless of rank, to uphold the rule of law.
