Former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo has strongly criticized the recent heated confrontation between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer in Abuja, demanding severe disciplinary action against the military personnel.
Dokubo's Strong Condemnation
The controversial former militant leader stated that the appropriate authorities should reprimand the naval officer and court-martial him for his actions. Dokubo emphasized that he was not necessarily supporting Minister Wike but standing on the side of "what is the law, the rule, and the convention."
He further explained that such a confrontation between a minister and a naval officer would not happen in any sane society without the officer facing serious consequences, including detention and disciplinary measures.
The Abuja Land Dispute Escalation
The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 11, when videos surfaced online showing FCT Minister Nyesom Wike engaged in a heated argument with military personnel at a construction site in Abuja. The minister, accompanied by his team including the director of Development Control, Town Planner Mukhtar Galadima, had visited the site where alleged unauthorized development was ongoing.
The property located on Plot 1946 became the center of controversy when Wike questioned the legality of its development by the land's claimed owner, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, a former Chief of Naval Staff of Nigeria. The minister insisted that Gambo had neither approval nor valid documentation from the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
Military Involvement and Wike's Reaction
During the confrontation, the naval officer involved claimed to be acting on the order of former Chief of Naval Staff Awal Gambo. The officer engaged the minister in a heated argument and prevented Wike and other FCT Administration officials from accessing the controversial property.
In a dramatic moment during the standoff, Wike dared Lieutenant Yerima, described as Vice Admiral Gambo's loyalist, to shoot him. Following the tense encounter, the minister addressed journalists, condemning the retired officer's actions as acts of lawlessness by the Nigerian military.
Wike questioned the use of military personnel to protect what he described as a clear case of illegal development and land grabbing, vowing that he would not allow such practices to continue in the Federal Capital Territory.
Growing Reactions and Security Implications
The incident has drawn reactions from various quarters across Nigeria. Former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai expressed concerns about Minister Wike's action against a military officer in uniform, describing the minister's outburst as disrespect to military authority.
Buratai explained that Wike's action cannot be dismissed as mere political theater and outlined the security implications, suggesting what remedies the minister should consider. Meanwhile, other military veterans have broken their silence on the matter, with some demanding that the FCT minister must apologize for his conduct.
The confrontation has raised broader questions about civilian-military relations, property rights in Abuja, and the appropriate use of military personnel in civil matters. As the controversy continues to unfold, all eyes remain on how the Nigerian Defence Headquarters will respond to the growing demands for action from both sides of the dispute.
