Dare Babalola
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to protect government officials against any attack.
This was in reaction to his recent confrontation with a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, over a disputed plot of land allegedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd).
Briefing journalists ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike condemned what he described as the retired naval chief’s impunity in deploying serving officers to guard the disputed property.
In response to critics who questioned his actions, Wike, argued that he couldn’t just sit back and do nothing while government officials were being attacked, emphasising his duty to act.
“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.
Recall that the former Rivers governor was involved in a heated exchange on Tuesday with a naval officer, Yerima, over a plot located at No. 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja, said to belong to a former naval chief.
Wike had accused the retired officer of illegally developing the land and confronted the naval officer for allegedly attacking Federal Capital Development Authority staff who had gone to stop the construction.
Speaking on Thursday, Wike criticised the use of military personnel to block FCT officials from carrying out their lawful duties.
“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 faulted the naval officer for allegedly referring to 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 emphasised that he holds the Nigerian military in high esteem and recognizes its importance, stressing that his confrontation was with a private citizen, not the armed forces.
“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.
