Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has submitted that many Nigerians carry hatred in their hearts for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He submitted that the hatred for Wike clouded the judgment of many people in the recent clash between the Minister and a Nigerian Naval officer, A.M Yerima, over a disputed piece of land in Abuja, said to belong to the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).
Speaking in a statement on Friday, Kachikwu said the reaction of many Nigerians to the incident was influenced by their belief that Wike is a bully and a willing tool in the hands of President Bola Tinubu.
He questioned the submissions of some senior government officials over the matter, including the Minister of Defence, saying they had hastily taken sides on the matter.
Kachikwu called on President Tinubu to intervene in the matter, which he said has exposed deepening national intolerance and a growing tendency to justify illegality once the target is a disliked public figure.
He said, “Speaking on this odoriferous saga between Wike and Yerima is extremely difficult for me because it is another example of a very vocal minority having its say and its way.
“Everyone tries to avoid this vocal minority, especially when they are baying for blood and in this case, they finally believe they have the minister where they want him – defenceless.
“Today I weep for Nigeria because we are becoming a nation of people fuelled by hate of anything government. They have let their hatred for this man, who is perceived to be a bully and the President’s bulldog, cloud their judgment.”
In his submission, the former presidential candidate said both Wike and the officer were provoked during the clash, but public anger focused solely on the Minister.
He questioned the directive issued by a retired military officer, which obstructed legitimate government work led by the FCT Minister himself, who is a representative of the President.
“Can a retired General without a commission give an order superior to that of a serving minister? Does the military code of conduct supersede the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” he asked.
Naijaonpoint recalls that an altercation occurred on Tuesday between Wike and an officer of the Nigerian Navy over the legality of an ongoing development of a land in Abuja, which has since snowballed into a matter of national discourse.
However, in his chat with newsmen on Thursday, the FCT Minister stated that claims in certain quarters about a fallout between him and the Nigerian military are false, mischievous, and unfounded.
He submitted that the Armed Forces is an institution he has utmost respect for, adding that his administration has remained steadfast in supporting military operations within the FCT and across Nigeria.
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