The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd) of impunity by deploying serving officers to guard the disputed property.
He made the accusation on Thursday in Abuja in reaction to his confrontation with a Naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, over a disputed plot of land allegedly belonging to the a former Chief of Naval Staff.
Wike spoke to journalists before of the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, saying he would not sit idly as a public officer while government officials were being attacked.
While responding to critics who faulted his visit to the site, Wike said “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?” he asked.
He accused the retired officer of carrying out illegal development on the land and confronted the naval officer for allegedly assaulting staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority who had gone to halt the ongoing construction.
He said it was wrong to use military personnel to obstruct lawful enforcement activities by FCT officials.
“Many influential Nigerians have had similar land issues. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former head of state and president, will simply call me. He’ll say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ and I’ll solve it.
“That is a former head of state — a former president — who has the courtesy to call the minister. General T.Y. Danjuma will do the same. They never sent soldiers to attack anybody. They just call,” Wike said.
The minister also said it was for the naval officer to address police officers on 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 is these same government officials you’re beating — the ones who made you what you are,” he stated.
Wike, however, said he had the highest regard for the Nigerian military and understood the importance of the institution, adding that his confrontation was not with the Armed Forces but with a private individual.
“I have respect for the military, and I’ll continue to respect them. I know what the institution stands for. I’m not a fool; I went to school. So anyone trying to suggest I have problems with them is wrong. I have no problem with the military, and I never will. Why would I have issues with the government? But this is a private matter,” he said.
