Abuja Land dispute: Wike defends clash with soldiers, says laws must apply equally

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified the circumstances surrounding his recent confrontation with military personnel at a disputed site in Abuja, asserting that he could not have formally corresponded with the Nigerian military since the developer involved, retired Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, is now a private citizen.

Addressing the incident, Wike stated that he could not stand idly by while government officials were allegedly harassed and intimidated by armed soldiers stationed at the location. He described the situation as “regrettable,” insisting that the laws governing the Federal Capital Territory must be upheld by all citizens, regardless of their social standing or former positions.

The Minister recalled that several respected military figures, including former Head of State General Olusegun Obasanjo and former Chief of Army Staff General Theophilus Danjuma, had in the past reached out to him to resolve land-related issues through lawful channels.

Responding to comments attributed to former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.), who described the confrontation as a threat to national security, Wike accused him of hypocrisy. He alleged that Buratai once instructed a General Officer Commanding to manipulate his re-election and even orchestrate an attempt on his life during the 2019 polls. “Buratai cannot lecture me on decency,” Wike declared.

He maintained that he harbours no regrets over confronting his political adversaries and reaffirmed that divisive tactics rooted in ethnicity, religion, or other sentiments would not succeed against him.