Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some military personnel who reportedly stopped him from accessing a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
In a viral video of the incident on Tuesday, Wike was seen expressing anger at an officer identified as AM Yerima, insisting that no individual, regardless of their military rank, was above the law.
Naijaonpoint learnt that the land in question is said to belong to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.), sparking a wave of public debate after footage of the altercation surfaced online.
‘Military Should Protect Borders, Not Private Land’ – Sowore
Reacting via his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Sowore faulted the military’s involvement, describing it as a display of corruption and misplaced priorities within Nigeria’s leadership.
“The military’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the country’s borders, but instead, it is devoting resources to protect a parcel of land for a high-ranking officer, allegedly acting on ‘orders,’” he wrote.
He added, “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.”
‘Wike Once Obstructed EFCC Operations’ – Sowore Alleges
Sowore further recalled an incident during Wike’s tenure as Rivers State Governor, accusing him of hypocrisy and double standards.
“As governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike @GovWike, too, once stood in the way of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission @officialEFCC officers, gun blazing, stopping them from arresting a corrupt judge friend of his. What a country!” Sowore wrote.
His comments have since triggered mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians applauding his stance on political impunity, while others argued that the matter between the FCT Minister and the military deserved an independent investigation.
Meanwhile, social media influencer and political commentator Zara Onyinye joined the conversation, firing back at former Minister of Aviation and PDP chieftain, Osita Chidoka, who had urged Wike to apologise to the military officer involved in the confrontation.
Chidoka, in a post on his Facebook page, stated that Wike’s behaviour undermined the principles of democratic governance and respect for institutions.
However, Onyinye dismissed Chidoka’s remarks as hypocritical, accusing him of twisting democratic principles to suit political interests.
“I have seen the ignorant write-up by Chidoka Osita, who should know better. This is my problem with this category of pseudo-intellectuals, when it suits their interest, they swing right; when it doesn’t, they swing left,” she said.
Defending the FCT Minister, Onyinye argued that in a democracy, civilian authority remains supreme and that Wike, being the President’s direct appointee, had acted within his rights.
“In Osita’s twisted logic, a rude military officer obeying an illegal order is above the President’s direct appointee as Minister of the FCT — all because he has an axe to grind with Wike. Imagine if it were Soludo or a governor from the South-East that a military officer disrespected like this, would Osita maintain the same view?” she queried.
She also criticised those who, according to her, politicise every issue involving Wike, saying, “Anything against Wike is considered right. Whoever challenges Wike becomes a hero in Nigeria today.”
‘Military Should Stay Out of Civil Matters’ – Onyinye
Onyinye further condemned the military’s interference in civil affairs, calling it a dangerous overreach.
“They denigrate themselves by venturing into affairs outside their jurisdiction. This is democracy, not a military regime,” she said.
According to her, the land dispute has been ongoing for over a year, with the retired naval officer allegedly using military influence to intimidate government officials and residents in the area.
“When did it become the military’s duty to secure land that belongs to a retired officer? We just love illegality when it favours us or when it’s directed at someone we hate,” Onyinye added.
Naijaonpoint reports that Tuesday’s incident occurred weeks after the Federal Capital Territory Administration demolished 11 duplexes belonging to the Nigeria Police Force in Apo District for being built under high-tension power lines.
Wike has since reiterated that the FCTA’s Department of Development Control denied approval for the contested land and vowed to escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities.
However, as of press time, the Nigerian Navy has not issued any official response to the latest development.
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