Defence Minister Breaks Silence on Wike-Military Confrontation
Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has characterised the recent confrontation between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and Naval Officer Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima as both avoidable and unnecessary. The incident, which occurred over a land dispute in Abuja, has sparked widespread reactions across social media platforms and political circles.
Details of the Abuja Land Dispute Clash
The altercation took place on Tuesday, November 11, when Wike confronted Lieutenant Yerima over the development of a plot of land allegedly belonging to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo. According to reports, the confrontation escalated quickly, with both parties engaging in a heated exchange that was captured on video and subsequently went viral.
Matawalle, speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa, expressed his disappointment with the incident. "What happened between Minister Wike and the officer is unfortunate," he stated. "When he got there, the officer explained that he was simply obeying orders given to him. Wike should not have exchanged words with the officer; he ought to have addressed his concerns through the officer's superiors."
Official Responses and Ongoing Resolution Efforts
The Defence Minister revealed that while the Ministry of Defence has not received any formal complaint from Wike regarding the incident, he personally reached out to the FCT minister after the video began circulating online. Matawalle emphasised that such matters should be resolved through official channels rather than public confrontations.
Meanwhile, Wike has confirmed that he has engaged both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, both of whom have assured him they would intervene to resolve the matter amicably. The FCT minister, known for his combative approach to governance, has repeatedly vowed to restore order in Abuja's urban planning system.
The incident has drawn reactions from various political figures, including Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who described the confrontation as a "national embarrassment" and questioned the growing trend of using military personnel for civil operations.
As the situation develops, attention remains focused on how the Tinubu administration will handle this delicate matter involving two senior government officials and military protocols.
