A heated confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and soldiers of the Nigerian Army has gone viral, capturing a tense standoff over land access in Abuja.
"I'm Not a Fool, Sir": The Viral Exchange
The incident, which occurred on November 11, 2025, was recorded in a video that quickly spread across social media platforms. The footage shows the soldiers preventing Minister Wike and his team of FCT officials from entering a piece of land in the nation's capital.
At the heart of the dispute was the soldier's insistence that he was acting on orders from above. When Wike attempted to assert his authority, the exchange escalated. The minister was recorded calling the officer a fool, a label the soldier politely but firmly rejected by stating, "I'm not a fool, sir."
Soldier Stands Firm on Integrity
Despite the provocation, the military officer maintained a composed demeanor. When Wike demanded, "Get out, you must vacate this land," the officer's simple yet powerful reply was, "I have integrity." This response has been widely praised by Nigerians who viewed the clip, with many commending the soldier for standing his ground respectfully while following his command structure.
The officer's professionalism under pressure became a central focus of the online discussion, highlighting the delicate balance between civilian authority and military protocol.
Nigerians React to the Abuja Standoff
The viral video sparked immediate and divided reactions from citizens across social media. Many commentators applauded the soldier's conduct, while others critiqued the minister's approach.
Key reactions from Nigerians include:
- @Temi_tayour urged mutual respect, noting the minister is old enough to be the officer's father but also advising the officer to be polite for career growth.
- @12_hizbullah praised the soldier's intelligence, specifically highlighting his use of the word "integrity" as profoundly meaningful.
- @tonyriteb suggested the minister should have taken the matter up with the General who issued the orders instead of confronting the officer.
- @Barnny_sommy described the minister's language as a disrespect to the military institution.
- @DaaErnest01, however, offered a different perspective, applauding Wike for ensuring that no one is above the law.
Some analysts, like @Its_Oladeni, speculated that the soldier's confidence likely stemmed from having strong backing, implying the conflict might be part of a larger institutional dispute over the land.
The clash between one of Nigeria's most powerful political figures and a soldier dutifully following orders has ignited a national conversation on authority, chain of command, and public decorum.
