Wike’s Heated Clash With Soldier Sparks Nationwide Reactions (VIDEO).

Wike & Officer.

A heated confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a military officer during an enforcement operation in Abuja has generated widespread reactions across the country.

 

A viral video of the incident captured the Minister exchanging angry words with soldiers who attempted to block his access to a disputed plot of land reportedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).

In the footage, Wike accused the soldiers of aiding an illegal land occupation and challenged their authority to stop him from inspecting the site. Visibly angry, he shouted at one of the officers, saying, “Shut up! Keep quiet! You are a fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school… You send soldiers to intimidate who? We are all from this country… If not for the CDS who spoke to me now, you would have to kill everybody here.”

The video quickly spread across social media, dividing public opinion. While some Nigerians praised Wike for standing against illegality and misuse of power, others criticised his conduct, describing it as disrespectful to the military and a show of arrogance.

Following the altercation, Wike accused the soldiers of occupying the land illegally on the orders of a former senior naval officer. In a statement issued by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, he described the situation as lawless and unacceptable. He maintained that no one, regardless of status, would be allowed to break Abuja’s urban development laws. 

According to him, “The Land Departments and Development Control have been mandated to monitor illegal development and land grabbing. When the issue was first reported, I ordered that nothing should happen there because there were no legal documents or approvals. Unfortunately, soldiers chased our officials away.”

Wike explained that he personally went to the site after learning that soldiers had returned to prevent enforcement. He said it was improper for a former high-ranking officer to use soldiers to intimidate FCTA officials rather than seek proper dialogue. 

He added that those developing the land had no ownership papers or building permits. “They have no approvals, no papers—nothing. How can we allow such lawlessness to thrive? What about ordinary Nigerians who don’t have the military behind them?” he asked.

The Minister disclosed that he had spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that the matter would be addressed. He stressed that his administration would not tolerate illegal developments on government land, regardless of who was involved.

Reacting to the development, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, called for disciplinary action against the soldier involved, describing the incident as an act of gross insubordination. “Who is this man in uniform? Of what meat is he fed? Who is beating the drum for him? This is unacceptable. His uniform has to be removed,” Igbokwe said.

However, former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, faulted Wike’s behaviour, accusing him of overstepping his boundaries. In a statement titled “Minister Wike: Power, Process, and the Rule of Law,” he said the Minister erred by personally confronting uniformed officers instead of following official channels. 

Chidoka argued that every law enforcement officer represents the sovereignty of the state, and verbally abusing one weakens institutional authority. He added that a simple communication with the Minister of Defence would have sufficed if the soldiers had acted unlawfully.

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, also weighed in, urging Wike to avoid direct confrontations with security personnel. “Wike is doing an excellent job in Abuja,” Sani said. “But he should not be encouraged to do this kind of stunt with soldiers.”

Meanwhile, a coalition of military veterans condemned Wike’s outburst and demanded a public apology, accusing him of disrespecting the armed forces. 

The group’s spokesperson, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, described the Minister’s remarks as “unbecoming of a public official” and warned against any disciplinary action against the soldier involved. “If the officer is sanctioned, veterans will occupy the FCT Minister’s office and residence,” he threatened.

Similarly, the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) criticised the alleged deployment of soldiers to guard the disputed land, calling it unconstitutional and a reflection of systemic failure. 

Its president, Olu Omotayo, said it was a misuse of the armed forces for private interests, particularly at a time when insecurity persists nationwide. He cited Section 217(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution and a 2020 Court of Appeal ruling, which states that the military can only assist civil authorities when properly authorised by the President.

In a related reaction, former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, described Wike’s conduct as a threat to national security, warning that such behaviour could undermine military morale and chain of command. 

He urged Wike to apologise to both President Bola Tinubu and the officer involved, stressing that “the integrity of the Armed Forces cannot be compromised for politics or personal outbursts.”