Wike says he acted to defend government officials attacked during enforcement exercise at a disputed property allegedly linked to a former naval chief.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained his confrontation with a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, over a disputed plot of land in Gaduwa District, Abuja, allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd).
Speaking before the FCT Executive Council on Thursday, Wike accused the retired officer of deploying serving naval personnel to guard the property and obstruct lawful enforcement by Federal Capital Development Authority officials.
“How can I sit as a minister when government officials are being attacked and beaten up, officials at the level of directors?” he asked.
Wike described the act as impunity, noting that other prominent Nigerians such as Olusegun Obasanjo and T.Y. Danjuma had resolved land issues through proper channels. He, however, clarified that he had no issues with the Nigerian military, saying his disagreement was with a private individual misusing state security assets.