The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has denied a reported standoff with the Nigerian military, stating he has the highest regard for the institution. Speaking on Thursday over the altercation involving FCTA officials and the military, who clashed at a disputed piece of land, Wike explained that his disagreement was with a private individual who broke the law on land use, not with the military.
“I have respect for the military. I will continue to respect them,” Wike said. “People should not try to create a false impression that I am having a problem with the military. That is not true.”
He said his intervention came after reports that senior officials of the FCTA were assaulted in the course of their lawful duties, adding that such incidents could not be overlooked by him as minister.
“You are told to obey legal orders, not illegal ones,” he said. “If a superior tells you to shoot someone, would you not be charged with murder simply because you were obeying orders?”
Wike accused some people of trying to use intimidation and misinformation to weaken the government’s resolve on enforcement, stressing that such would not work.
He further reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to protecting Abuja’s master plan and observing land-use approvals. According to him, those who obtained land for agricultural purposes and converted same to residential or commercial use without approval would be sanctioned.
“Government cannot function in a lawless society,” Wike said. “If we allow one person to violate the rules because of who he is, others will follow. That’s how impunity begins.”
The minister further said that his critics, in their quest to portray him as being in conflict with the military, continued to exaggerate the matter, reassuring again that there were warm relations between FCTA and the armed forces and differences are resolved institutionally through proper channels.
“Whenever there’s an issue involving the military, I know who to talk to-the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, or even the President. We resolve issues through dialogue, not confrontation,” he said.
Wike also urged the media to report issues correctly and avoid sensationalism, recalling that his actions as both FCT minister and former Rivers State governor had always been guided by the rule of law. He promised: “As long as I remain FCT minister, the law will take its course. Abuja must reflect the image of Nigeria – disciplined, planned and lawful”.
