Video: ‘You’re fool,’ Wike, military clash over disputed property in Abuja
Abdullateef Fowewe
There was a mild standoff in Abuja on Tuesday when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, confronted a military blocking his access to a property under dispute.
Video: ‘You’re fool,’ Wike, military clash over disputed property in Abuja
In a viral video, Wike engaged in a heated exchange with the officer, who maintained that those working at the site had proper documentation.
The minister argued the soldiers were trying to intimidate government officials carrying out their duties.
Wike was heard saying, “I’m a minister — you can’t tell me you have a document! We can’t continue to live in a country where everyone hides behind immunity. Where’s your approval? We can’t go on like this.”
He added, “You sent soldiers to intimidate who? We are the hope of this country and this government. You can’t be higher than the government. You can’t carry guns and intimidate people. If not for the Chief of Defence Staff who spoke to me, you could have killed everyone here. I’m not one of those you can intimidate.”
The naval officer denied any intimidation, responding, “On the contrary, sir, we are not intimidating anyone. It was the engineer who mobilised workers to the site, along with FCTDA staff, who came to threaten them in defiance of an order.”
When challenged on the validity of the building papers, the officer insisted they were complete, prompting Wike to demand evidence: “Are you the one to say the papers are complete? Show me that the government gave you this place. Show me your approval to build here. This has nothing to do with being a vice admiral or lieutenant general. We must all work according to the law.”
The confrontation escalated briefly, nearly turning physical, as documents were disputed and Wike was pushed aside momentarily.
The minister called the officer “a fool,” to which the officer replied firmly, “I am not a fool. I am an officer, and I’m only obeying orders.”
Wike retorted, “Shut up! When I was in school, by the time I graduated, you were not even in primary school. You’re a big fool.”
The soldier stood his ground, repeating, “I am not a fool, I am an officer, and I won’t shut up.”
The disputed land is reportedly among properties flagged by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for violating land-use laws.
Wike had recently given property owners 30 days to regularise their titles or face penalties for unauthorized conversion of residential buildings to commercial use.
