Military

  Human rights activist and the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and some military personnel who barred him from accessing a disputed parcel of land in Abuja. PUNCH Online reports that in a viral video of the incident on Tuesday, Wike was seen expressing outrage at the officer’s presence, insisting that no individual, regardless of their military affiliation, was above the law. The land in question is reportedly owned by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.), and the incident sparked public debate after a video showing the minister’s confrontation with the military personnel surfaced online. Reacting to the development in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, Sowore criticised the military authorities, describing the situation as a reflection of misplaced priorities and entrenched self-interest among public officials. He wrote, “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.’ “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.” Sowore further recalled a similar episode during Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State, accusing him of interfering with law enforcement operations. He stated, “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!” The activist’s comments have drawn reactions on social media, with some users supporting his criticism of political impunity, while others faulted his tone, arguing that the matter between the FCT minister and the military should be investigated further. Similarly, social media influencer and political commentator Zara Onyinye, in a post on her Facebook account on Tuesday, also weighed in on the controversy. In her reaction, Onyinye slammed a former Minister of Aviation and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Osita Chidoka, who urged Wike to apologise to the military officer who he said he insulted during the confrontation. In a statement posted on his Facebook post shared on his page on Tuesday, Chidoka declared that such behaviour undermines the principles of democratic governance. Reacting, Onyinye wrote, “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. “His argument now is that all law enforcement officers are representatives of the President. Where does this come from? Which law says this? So, a drunk, reckless police officer extorting Nigerians in some tiny village in Ikot Ekpene is acting for the President and cannot be held accountable? “The same man knows that in a democracy, the civilian authority is the highest authority. The military is answerable to civilian authority, and the FCT Minister is the President’s direct appointee as Governor of the FCT. “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. Onyinye further lamented what she described as a trend of politicising issues involving the FCT Minister, saying, “Nobody actually cares whether the soldier is right or wrong. Anything against Wike is considered right. Whoever challenges Wike becomes a hero in Nigeria today. “Wike is a threat to the owners of Nigeria PLC. But pray for that young officer — his next posting and promotion will be interesting. This is Nigeria. “Do not forget, Wike is the landlord of Aso Rock. He can revoke anything revocable. Barracks and the war front are permanent abodes for soldiers, not land protection. This is not a boundary dispute.: She also criticised the military for interfering in civil matters, adding that the land dispute had long become a tool for intimidation. “They denigrate themselves by venturing into affairs outside their jurisdiction. This is democracy, not a military regime. And sadly, many lack information. “This case has been ongoing for over a year now. The retired officer has been using the military to intimidate government officials and other 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 stated. PUNCH Online reports that Tuesday’s confrontation comes weeks after the FCTA demolished 11 duplexes belonging to the Nigeria Police Force in Apo District for being built under high-tension power lines. Wike also reiterated that the FCTA’s Department of Development Control had denied approval for the contested land, vowing to escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities. As of the time of filing this report, the Navy has yet to react or issue an official statement on the incident. When contacted for a response, the Navy spokesman, A. Adams-Aliyu, simply said: “No reply for now.”