FCT Minister Clashes with Military Over Land Ownership
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has publicly addressed the escalating tension between his ministry and the military following a dramatic confrontation over a parcel of land in Abuja. The incident saw armed soldiers preventing the minister from accessing the disputed property, leading to heated exchanges and accusations from both sides.
According to statements made on Channels Television's Sunrise program on Wednesday, November 12, Wike's spokesperson Lere Olayinka detailed the sequence of events that led to the standoff. The minister had allegedly contacted the Chief of Defense Staff twice - once before leaving his office and again after encountering military resistance at the site.
Unruly Behavior and Legal Violations Alleged
Olayinka described the naval officer stationed at the property as exhibiting "unruly and arrogant" behavior toward both the minister and the Chief of Defense Staff during their telephone conversation. The spokesperson justified Wike's angry reaction and strong language as a response to what he characterized as completely inappropriate conduct from the military personnel.
The land in question originally belonged to another entity that had left it unused for several years before controversially transferring ownership to the retired naval officer. Olayinka emphasized that the former navy chief had bypassed standard procedures required for construction projects in Abuja, violating established protocols.
Democratic Principles Versus Military Orders
In a striking defense of the minister's position, Wike's aide argued that in a democratic society, not all military orders should be automatically obeyed, particularly when they appear to violate the law. He presented a hypothetical scenario questioning whether an officer would follow an order to commit an immoral act like assaulting a family member, suggesting that unlawful commands should be challenged.
The confrontation occurred when Wike visited the site after receiving reports that soldiers had driven away FCT Administration officials who were attempting to enforce development control directives. The minister has since condemned what he describes as an illegal takeover of the disputed property by military personnel acting on instructions from a former Chief of Naval Staff.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, November 11, Wike characterized the soldiers' actions as "unacceptable and lawless" and vowed that no individual, regardless of their former position, would be permitted to intimidate government authorities or obstruct legal enforcement procedures in the Federal Capital Territory.
