A recent public confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and officers of the Nigerian Navy has laid bare the troubling decline in institutional decorum and respect for due process in Nigeria. The incident, which occurred on a disputed parcel of land in Gaduwa District, Abuja, has escalated into a national embarrassment, highlighting a system too often rooted in impunity.
The Gaduwa District Confrontation: A Breakdown of Order
The feud erupted when armed military officers, led by Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, reportedly acting on instructions from a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.), resisted Minister Wike's efforts to halt construction work. Wike had visited the site after officials from the FCT Administration (FCTA) were allegedly denied access by the stationed naval personnel.
Instead of yielding, the soldiers stood their ground, leading to a heated verbal exchange between the FCT Minister and Lieutenant Yerima. This direct clash between a senior civilian authority and a military officer on duty represents a stark failure of protocol and mutual respect.
Legal Powers and Their Limits in the FCT
On one hand, the law grants the FCT Minister significant authority. Section 11 of the Land Use Act (LUA) empowers the Minister to enter and inspect any land within the FCT held under a statutory right of occupancy. The Minister also holds the power to revoke such rights if the holder breaches the terms of issue.
However, these powers are not absolute. The 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to acquire and own property. Crucially, Nigerian courts have consistently ruled that the only legal means for a Governor or FCT Minister to compulsorily acquire land from a citizen is through a court order. Any attempt to forcibly enter, recover possession, or demolish a structure on disputed land without judicial sanction is considered unlawful self-help.
Therefore, while Wike holds the land in the FCT in trust for all Nigerians, his actions must strictly conform to the law. The core issue is whether due process was followed before his visit to the disputed site.
A Failure of Process and the Imperative for Decency
Public reaction to the incident has been divided. Some criticize Wike for his use of harsh language and for demanding that a military officer disobey his chain of command. Others blame the naval officers for disrespecting a constituted civilian authority.
What remains clear is that both parties failed to utilize the proper channels. Rather than seeking a court injunction to restrain any action until the dispute is resolved, both sides engaged in a public power struggle. The Minister could have engaged the top hierarchy of the Nigerian Navy, while the naval officers could have sought clarity through their command or the judiciary.
The altercation, undignified for a minister of the republic, underscores a broader crisis of impunity, indiscipline, and the erosion of ethical foundations in the public sector. It signals a dangerous trend where officials, both civilian and military, may operate beyond their legally conferred powers.
This incident serves as a urgent reminder that the dignity of national institutions and public offices must be restored. There should be no room for the willful abuse of power. All public officers must consciously uphold the rule of law, act within their legal authority, and treat other institutions with mutual respect. Wrongdoing must be consistently sanctioned to rebuild the integrity of Nigeria's governance system.
