By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Nigerians have taken to various social media platforms to comment on a trending video which showed a confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom
Wike, and a military officer over an alleged land-grabbing incident at the Gaduwa District in Abuja on Tuesday, November 11.
The video showed a visibly angry Wike accusing a retired senior officer of illegally taking possession of a parcel of land.
The minister questioned why the military was laying claim to the property simply because it was linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
He said: “Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?”
The yet-to-be-identified officer, dressed in military camouflage, interrupted the minister, insisting that the acquisition was lawful and that he had acted with integrity.
“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he replied.
Wike, angered by the interruption, ordered the officer to “keep quiet.”
“I will not shut up,” the officer responded.
The exchange escalated as Wike retorted, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
The officer, however, maintained that he was deployed to the site on official orders.
“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see,” Wike fired back as the confrontation grew more intense.
Neither the military nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration had issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Recall that since assuming office in August 2023 as FCT Minister, Wike has ordered several demolitions of what he described as illegal structures, vowing to restore the Abuja Master Plan.
The video, which caught the attention of netizens, as “officer” became one of the trending subjects on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
While some Nigerians commended the officer for standing his ground and handling the situation professionally, others highlighted the recurring issue of land-grabbing by influential individuals.
In his tweet, @IU_Wakili wrote, “I am an officer sir, I am not a fool sir, you cannot call me a fool sir. I love how the officer stood his ground and respect the uniform he is wearing. If it’s the black uniform guys, they would have started doing bambiala for him. Wike really met his match.”
@jon_d_doe added, “@HQNigerianArmy, Please, reward this fine soldier for his professional behaviour and for standing his ground. Wike is not your commander-in-chief. God bless the officer. Amen.”
@Morris_Monye wrote, “Wike vs Nigerian military. The fine young officer stood his ground, probably almost passing out from the alcohol. After all the shouting, Wike retreated.”
@Mbahdeyforyou added, “Very gallant soldiers! That officer deserves immediate promotion.”
Political activist, Omoyele Sowore wrote, “The military’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the country’s borders, but instead, it is devoting resources to protect a parcel of land of a high-ranking officer, allegedly acting on ‘orders.’
“This pathetic scenario is the pervasive self-interest among officials who cater to the interests of a privileged minority at the expense of national protection, with @GovWike not being an exception.
“As governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike @GovWike too once stood in the way of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission @officialEFCC officers, gun blazing, stopping them from arresting a corrupt judge friend of his. What a country!”
Some others berated the FCT Minister for being uncouth towards the officer.
One of such persons, @afrisagacity tweeted, “Here’s Minister Wike, a mere appointee of the government, publicly harassing a military officer in such a crassly belittling manner, even calling him a FOOL. Kudos to the officer for handling the situation with absolute maturity and discipline!”
@MrMekzy added, “Wike thinks he’s the owner of Nigeria. See the way he’s talking to a military officer.”
