A former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), has strongly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent confrontation with a naval officer, A.M. Yerima, during a demolition enforcement exercise in Abuja.
The incident, which has stirred nationwide debate, saw Wike verbally attacking the officer and calling him a “fool” after Yerima and his team halted the demolition of a property allegedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.). Wike had accused Gambo of land grabbing and directed the Department of Development Control to proceed with the demolition before soldiers intervened.
Speaking at the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), General Irabor condemned Wike’s conduct, stating that the minister’s actions amounted to “an offence against the state.”
According to him, the insult was not just directed at the officer but at the authority of the Nigerian state, which the uniform represents.
“The uniform is not about who is wearing it,” Irabor said. “The uniform represents the authority of the state. Whether it is a small boy or not, it is the authority of the state. It is even worse when it is a commissioned officer who has a presidential commission.”
Irabor argued that by making such remarks, Wike effectively “desecrated the oath” of office that binds military officers to the Commander-in-Chief.
“What you have told the Commander-in-Chief and the authority that invested that position in him is that they are fools. So, it is wrong,” he said.
The former CDS added that several public reactions—including those by legal experts—missed the real issue, which was not whether Wike had authority over land, but the broader implications of undermining a uniformed officer carrying out his duty.
He further noted that Nigeria has gradually lost the culture of respecting military officers and public institutions, urging the media to help restore values of patriotism and proper civic conduct.
“These are things primary and secondary school pupils ought to know,” he said, calling for renewed public education on citizenship and respect for state institutions.
The confrontation between Wike and the naval officer continues to draw reactions as Nigerians debate the limits of ministerial authority and the obligations of military personnel during civil enforcement operations.