The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has denied claims that he disrespected the Nigerian Military by referring to Navy Lieutenant AM Yerima as “a fool” during an altercation over a land dispute in Abuja.
Wike, while speaking to journalists on Thursday, said the Tuesday incident where he verbally abused a serving military officer for guarding a property belonging to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo has been misinterpreted by many.
During the incident, Wike confronted Yerima, saying, “Shut up, you’re a fool”. To this, the naval officer replied, “I am not a fool, I am an officer, I have integrity.”
However, Wike noted that, contrary to claims in several quarters, he could not have insulted the Nigerian Military because he has so much regard for the Armed Forces and their personnel.
Concerning the property in question, Wike said he has been ordering enforcement of the Land Use Act on various properties within the FCT and would not allow favouritism on any property because of the political or social status of any individual.
His words, “My conscience would not allow me, if I am enforcing those orders to other people then I will begin to say, this man, no don’t go there because he was former this, he was former that. Nobody does that. So those who are writing, who are talking junks should go and find out what really happened.
“Some people said that I said the boy is a fool, well, what I meant was this, you cannot be carrying out an illegal order, that’s what I meant. I didn’t say military you are a fool, I couldn’t have said that; I know the role of the military. The role they have been playing in this country, what they have passed through fighting insurgents and terrorists, and I have always given my support to security agencies,” Wike stated.
Also citing some of his contribution to security agencies across the country, the Minister said it is important for every officer to ensure he or she carries out their duties in line with the provisions of the law.
“As I came as the FCT minister, go and see their security, go and see what I have provided for them to fight and do their work.
“So if I know that, why would I say…” No, it’s not true but you, what you’re doing, you are not doing that which you have been taught as an officer.
“The mere fact that you’re an officer does not mean that if you do what is wrong… It’s like a professor in the university who would not allow young girls to rest or will not allow people… every time bring money for this and that. And when I see that professor, I will tell him, you’re not supposed to be a professor at all,” Wike added.