By Huldah Shado
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his confrontation with a naval officer, Lt. A.M. Yerima, over a disputed plot allegedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd).
Speaking after the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday in Abuja, Wike condemned what he described as Gambo’s “act of impunity” in deploying serving naval personnel to guard the contested property at Plot No. 1946, Gaduwa District.
He said he intervened after officers of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), were allegedly assaulted while enforcing development regulations.
“How can I sit as minister when government officials are being beaten up? And I’ll just sit in my office doing what?” he asked.
Wike faulted the use of security operatives to protect private interests, citing examples of other former leaders like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. T.Y. Danjuma who, he said, always resolve issues respectfully.
He also criticised Yerima for allegedly insulting police officers at the scene, saying, “Nobody talks like that. You call them ‘bloody police’? These are the same government officials who made you what you are.”
Wike clarified that he had no problem with the military as an institution but would not tolerate lawlessness or intimidation of FCTA staff.
