VIDEO: Why I visited disputed Abuja land — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he visited a disputed plot of land, allegedly belonging to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd), in Abuja because he could not sit idly while government officials were being attacked.

Briefing journalists ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike spoke about his confrontation with a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, over the plot of land. 

While responding to critics of his visit to the land, the former governor of Rivers State 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?”

Tribune Online reports that the minister was involved in a heated exchange on Tuesday with Yerima at No. 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja. 

He accused the retired naval chief of carrying out illegal development on the land and confronted the officer for allegedly assaulting the staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA) who had gone to halt construction.

He also condemned the alleged use of military personnel to obstruct lawful enforcement 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,” he said.

The minister also criticised 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,” Wike stated.

He insisted that his confrontation was with a private individual, not the military, and reaffirmed his respect for 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.”

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