Tensions Rise as Wike, Retired Military Officers Clash Over Naval Officer’s Conduct at Disputed Abuja Land

Allies of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a coalition of retired military officers have taken sharply different positions on whether Navy Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima should face disciplinary action following his confrontation with the minister at a contested plot of land in Abuja.

The face-off occurred on Tuesday at a property reportedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.). Wike accused the retired service chief of carrying out illegal construction and faulted Lt. Yerima for allegedly assaulting Federal Capital Development Authority officials who attempted to stop the work.

In a viral video circulating on Saturday, Wike challenged the presence of military personnel on the site, insisting the retired naval chief lacked legal title to the land. Yerima, however, told Wike he was acting on orders and could not leave the area without instruction from his superiors.

Addressing journalists before an FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike condemned what he described as the “impunity” of deploying serving officers to protect a private property. He defended his visit to the site, stating that he could not allow government officials to be attacked while he watched from afar.

Retired Officers Demand Wike’s Removal

At a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, a coalition of retired military officers criticised Wike, labelling his actions “demeaning,” “unacceptable,” and an “insult” to the Armed Forces and the Commander-in-Chief. The group, comprising retired generals and senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force, called on President Bola Tinubu to sack or redeploy the minister.

The coalition warned that failure to remove Wike would prompt them to “mobilise and occupy” the FCT ministry.

Delivering the main address, Col. Yusuf Ibrahim (retd.) condemned Wike’s behaviour after the minister was heard calling the naval officer a “fool” in the viral video. He argued that Yerima acted on lawful orders and accused Wike of disrespecting state authority.

Ibrahim said, “How can a public office holder call an officer a fool on camera? If Wike were responsible, he should have engaged the Chief of Naval Staff privately instead of attempting to disgrace a senior retired general. Who does Wike think he is?”
He insisted Wike must apologise to the Armed Forces, the young officer, and President Tinubu.

Another coalition member, Dr. Awwal Abdullahi, described the minister as consistently hostile toward military personnel and vowed that retired officers would no longer tolerate what they termed Wike’s arrogance.

Reacting on Saturday, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Publicity to the FCT Minister, said the veterans were entitled to their views, adding that Wike had already clarified his stance.

Civil Society Group Backs Wike, Seeks Probe of Naval Officer

A civil society organisation, the National Coalition for Democratic Integrity (NCDI), defended the minister and called for a probe into Lt. Yerima’s conduct.

In a Friday statement, NCDI President, Kiki Kiki, condemned the officer’s behaviour, describing it as disrespectful to a senior government official representing the President.

He said obstructing the minister and his team amounted to defiance of civilian authority and undermined democratic principles. Kiki warned that allowing such conduct to go unpunished could encourage insubordination within the security services.

He stated, “We must condemn the unacceptable behaviour of Officer Yerima. No one in uniform or public office is above the law. The dignity of civilian leadership must be upheld, not for ego, but to preserve democratic order.”