Allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a coalition of retired military officers sharply disagreed on Friday over whether naval officer Lt. Ahmed Yerima should be sanctioned for his confrontation with the minister at a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
The clash occurred on Tuesday during Wike’s visit to a site allegedly owned by former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.). Wike accused the retired naval chief of illegally developing the land and faulted Yerima for allegedly assaulting Federal Capital Development Authority personnel who attempted to stop the construction.
In a viral video, the minister questioned the presence of military personnel on the land, insisting that Gambo lacked legal documentation for the property. Yerima, however, told Wike that he and his men were “acting on superior orders” and could not leave the site.
Addressing journalists ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike condemned what he described as Gambo’s “impunity” in deploying serving officers to protect the disputed land. He also defended his visit, saying he could not ignore attacks on government officials.
But in Kaduna on Friday, a coalition of retired military officers criticised the minister, describing his conduct as “demeaning,” “unacceptable,” and “a direct insult to the Armed Forces and the Commander-in-Chief.”
The group, which includes retired generals and senior officers from all military branches, urged President Bola Tinubu to remove or redeploy Wike, warning that failure to act would prompt them to “mobilise and occupy” the FCT ministry.
Delivering the coalition’s main address, Col. Yusuf Ibrahim (retd.) said it was embarrassing that Wike called the naval officer a fool.
“Not everyone is worthy of certain offices they occupy. We are taken aback that a public office holder could call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera. If Wike was responsible, shouldn’t he have engaged the Chief of Naval Staff privately rather than trying to disgrace a very senior retired general? Who the hell is Wike?” Ibrahim asked.
He insisted that Wike must apologise to the Armed Forces, the officer involved, and President Tinubu.
Another member of the group, Dr. Awwal Abdullahi, accused Wike of hostility toward military personnel and threatened sustained protests.
He said, “If the President refuses to sack Wike, we will mobilise and occupy the Ministry of FCT until he is removed.”
The veterans claimed to represent the wider retired military community, arguing that removing Wike would not harm the administration, and asserting that they would no longer tolerate what they called his arrogance.
Responding, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications, Lere Olayinka, said the veterans were exercising their constitutional rights and that the minister had already clarified his position.
Meanwhile, civil society group National Coalition for Democratic Integrity backed Wike and called for an investigation into Yerima’s conduct. Its president, Kiki Kiki, criticised the officer’s actions as disrespectful to a senior government representative.
“Such conduct, if left unchecked, risks sending the wrong signal to the public and to the rank and file… That would set a dangerous precedent,” Kiki said.
He added, “We must be unequivocal in condemning the deplorable and utterly unacceptable conduct of Officer Yerima against the FCT Minister. No individual in uniform or in public office is above the law or beyond accountability.”
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals also condemned the incident, calling it “a grave violation of democratic order.”
Chairman Isaac Abrak argued that preventing a minister from accessing land under his jurisdiction “is ultra vires, unconstitutional, and an affront to the authority of the President.”
The group stressed that the contested land was private property, not a military installation, and insisted no law authorises military personnel to guard private estates or block officials performing their duties.
While criticising parts of Wike’s remarks, the group maintained that his tone did not justify “a constitutional breach” by Yerima. It called for a presidential investigation into the deployment of naval personnel, disciplinary action where necessary, and apologies from both sides for inappropriate conduct.
Former ADC presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu argued that the uproar over the incident reflected a deeper culture of national intolerance. He accused a “vocal minority” of exploiting the confrontation due to longstanding resentment toward Wike.
He said, “Speaking on this odious saga between Wike and Yerima is extremely difficult because it is another example of a very vocal minority having their say and their way.
“Today I weep for Nigeria because we are becoming a nation fuelled by hate for anything government. Their hatred for this man… has clouded their judgement.”
Kachikwu added that both men were provoked, but public anger focused solely on Wike, ignoring the officer’s alleged obstruction of legitimate government work.
Despite the controversy, indications suggest Yerima may not face disciplinary action. Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru said the matter was being investigated but maintained that personnel on lawful duty would not be punished.
Former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.) was among those demanding an apology from Wike, calling his conduct disrespectful to the military.
Senior military officials who spoke anonymously also dismissed the likelihood of sanctions. One officer stated, “Once troops are lawfully deployed under approved orders, their allegiance is to their operational command and the Constitution, not to any transient expression of political will.”
.
