Military Veterans Condemn Wike Over Clash With Naval Officer, Demand Public Apology
A coalition of Nigerian military veterans has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his verbal altercation with a naval officer during an enforcement visit to a disputed land in Abuja.
A viral video earlier showed the minister in a heated exchange with some naval personnel at a site located in the Gaduwa area of the FCT. Wike had reportedly visited the area as part of an enforcement operation and questioned the presence of military personnel allegedly guarding the land.
In the footage, the minister accused the officers of aiding an illegal development, while one of the naval personnel maintained that they were acting on orders and that the property in question belonged to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
The confrontation soon escalated, with Wike allegedly using harsh words against the officer. The incident has since triggered mixed reactions across social media, with some commentators faulting the officer for confronting a serving minister, while others defended his conduct as professional and restrained.
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In a statement released on Monday, the spokesperson of the Coalition of Military Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, condemned Wike’s behaviour, describing it as “disrespectful and unbecoming of a public office holder.”
“How can a public official call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera? A responsible leader should have engaged the Chief of Naval Staff privately, rather than attempting to humiliate a uniformed officer in public,” Durowaiye-Herberts said.
He stressed that a uniformed officer represents the authority of the Nigerian state, warning that any act of disrespect towards such an officer undermines national institutions.
The group also criticised calls for disciplinary action against the naval personnel involved, warning that any attempt to punish him would be strongly resisted by veterans.
“If, for any reason, the officer is sanctioned, military veterans will occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister,” the spokesperson declared.
The coalition further reminded public officials that members of the armed forces swear loyalty to the Nigerian state, not to individuals, and urged Wike to issue a public apology.
“Wike’s outburst demeans the dignity of his office. He must apologise for using abusive language. Such conduct is unbecoming of a minister of the Federal Republic,” Durowaiye-Herberts added.
By PRNigeria
