I Don’t Have a Problem With Military – Wike

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday refuted claims that he leveraged a disputed land issue in Abuja to challenge the Nigerian military, affirming his longstanding support for the armed forces.

Addressing journalists on the recent clash between his officials and military personnel, Wike called on Nigerians to uphold the law, stressing that the government would not tolerate any breaches of land use regulations or interference with officials carrying out their legal duties.

He clarified that his actions were strictly guided by legal provisions, not by personal sentiment or emotion.

He warned against blindly following illegal orders, stating: “You are told to obey legal orders, not orders that are illegal. So, if because you are a security aide, you think your superior ordered you to shoot at someone, you think you will not be charged for murder, because your superior gave you the order?”

He further cautioned against intimidation or attempts to weaken the government: “People have problems. We have tried to resolve them, but don’t use intimidation, don’t try to weaken government. You cannot weaken government. Because when we allow this now, others will follow suit. And then they will say, ‘When it happened to this and that, what did you do?’”

Wike reaffirmed his respect for the military, rejecting suggestions that he was in conflict with them: “So, gentlemen, I have respect for the military. I will continue to respect them. So, anybody trying to bring collision there, to say, ‘Oh, he is having a problem with the military,’ it is not correct. I don’t have a problem with the military and I will not have a problem.”

He clarified that the dispute involved a private individual rather than the armed forces, saying: “If we are having a problem with the military, I know where to run to. If I don’t go to the Chief of Defence Staff, I will go to the Chief of Army Staff, or the Chief of Naval Staff, or Air Force, or the Chief of Defence Intelligence, I will go to the President.

READ ALSO: Wike Defends Clash With Naval Officer Over Disputed Abuja Land

“But in this case, it has to do with a private individual. So how many people would I run to? If you have a problem with us, should I run to the President? Who does that? So, all I will be telling the President every day, ‘This individual is having a problem with us, this individual is having a problem.’ So I don’t have a problem with the military.”

Wike said the incident had been exaggerated by those seeking to portray him as being at odds with the military. He explained that he only intervened after top FCTA officials were attacked while carrying out their duties and insisted that he could not remain idle while his team was assaulted. He recalled a previous situation involving illegal construction under a power line, where he personally visited the site and coordinated with the Inspector-General of Police to halt the project.

The Minister emphasized that the FCT Administration’s role is to uphold Abuja’s Master Plan and ensure all developments comply with approved land use regulations.

He warned that individuals who illegally convert agricultural land to residential or commercial use would face legal consequences: “Government cannot function in a lawless society. If we allow one person to violate the rules because of who he is, others will follow. That is how impunity begins. We must learn to obey the law irrespective of who is involved.”

Wike noted that the FCTA has previously engaged the military hierarchy on similar land disputes, with such matters always handled respectfully. He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to enforcing the law: “As long as I remain FCT Minister, the law will take its course. Abuja must reflect the image of Nigeria—disciplined, planned, and lawful.”