The recent confrontation between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Naval Officer Lieutenant Yerima Ahmad has sparked intense public debate, with one Nigerian highlighting what he describes as the most distressing aspect of the entire incident.
The Core of the Controversy
Muhammed Bello Buhari, in a thought-provoking Facebook post, expressed deep concern about the sentiment among some Nigerians who believed the naval officer should have allowed Minister Wike to proceed with the demolition of his property without resistance. The incident occurred when Wike visited the disputed property with bulldozers, only to be confronted by Lieutenant Yerima and military personnel under his command.
Buhari strongly challenged this perspective, questioning the logic behind expecting any property owner to stand by passively while their investment is being demolished. "The saddest thing about the Wike and Lt. Yerima faceoff is that some people genuinely believe the Vice Admiral should have quietly watched his property get demolished," he stated in his social media post.
Questioning Public Hypocrisy
Moving beyond legal arguments, Buhari urged Nigerians to consider the practical reality of the situation. He posed a crucial question to those criticizing the naval officer's actions: which of them would have acted differently if faced with the same circumstance?
"Forget even the legality for a moment, let's talk reality. Which of us, in this same country, would sit idly by and watch our property demolished in broad daylight when we have both the right and the means to prevent such injustice?" he questioned pointedly.
Buhari observed what he described as a disturbing pattern in Nigerian society where people only become vocal against power when it doesn't directly affect them. He noted that many Nigerians romanticize obedience and legality until their own interests are threatened, at which point resistance suddenly becomes common sense.
Public Reaction and Legal Perspective
The man's post attracted significant attention and agreement from social media users. Comments like "Well done, very well" from Hamisu Abba and "The last paragraph defines a typical Nigerian" from Abdulrasheed Zubairu Raka reflected the resonance of his argument with many Nigerians.
Meanwhile, a legal professional had previously raised an important dimension to the controversy. A barrister emphasized that if Lieutenant Yerima was acting under a valid military order, he should be absolved of any wrongdoing. The crucial question, according to the legal expert, is whether the order received by the naval officer was lawful and came from the proper military command structure.
The incident, which took place in November 2025, continues to generate discussion about property rights, the limits of governmental power, and the responsibility of citizens to protect their legitimate interests against potential overreach.
