Channels TV reports that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has given a fuller account of his run-in with a naval officer in Abuja, stressing the dispute was about basic respect and protocol — not pride or a power struggle.
Wike said he approached the scene calmly, identified himself in his official capacity, and was disappointed when the officer responded in what he called a dismissive and unprofessional way.
Wike said that even if the officer thought he was simply following orders, basic courtesy required acknowledging the minister’s presence and offering to check the situation.
He complained that a simple response such as, “Sir, I will get back to you,” would have been appropriate, and argued that refusing to do so undermines cooperation between government bodies.
He went on to say military discipline involves judgment, respect and proper escalation, not creating tension on the ground.
Where chains of command clash, Wike said, the correct response is to refer the matter to a superior — not to confront a senior government official. “Nobody asked him to disobey his commander.
All I expected was a simple, ‘Sir, let me confirm,’” he said, noting that that is part of military training.
Wike made clear his visit was official — part of an FCTA operation to enforce development laws and tackle illegal land occupation — and questioned why an officer who was not directly affected by the land dispute would obstruct the enforcement action instead of leaving it to the appropriate channels.
He also suggested the officer’s behaviour might have been influenced by outside interests, warning that military personnel should not be used as instruments by powerful people trying to dodge the law.
“Respecting civil authority is not weakness. It is professionalism,” he said.
Wike denied he had disrespected the military, explaining his anger stemmed from the officer’s refusal to use proper communication channels.
He praised the Defence Minister and senior military leaders for their quick steps to calm the situation and for reaffirming cooperation between agencies.
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