ABUJA, Nigeria — Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory, has criticised former Chief of Naval Staff Awwal Zubairu Gambo for deploying serving naval personnel to guard a disputed property in Abuja, describing the action as a clear “abuse of power” and an attempt to obstruct lawful government activities.
Speaking on Thursday, November 13, 2025, ahead of the FCT executive council meeting, Wike addressed his widely circulated confrontation with A.M. Yerima, a naval officer, over the enforcement of a stop-work order issued by the Federal Capital Development Authority on plot 1946 in the Gaduwa district.
The minister said it was unacceptable for a retired military chief to use serving officers to interfere with the FCDA’s mandate.
“How can I sit as a minister when government officials are being attacked and beaten up — officials at the level of directors? And I’ll just sit in my office doing what?” he asked.
A video shared online earlier in the week showed Wike engaged in a heated exchange with Yerima at the disputed site.
According to the minister, FCDA officials sent to enforce development regulations were assaulted by security operatives securing the property, allegedly at the behest of Gambo.
Wike condemned what he called the “use of military intimidation” in a civil matter, noting that many prominent Nigerians resolve similar issues through dialogue rather than force.
“Many influential Nigerians have had similar land issues,” he said.
“Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former head of state and president, will simply call me. He’ll say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ And I’ll solve it. General T.Y. Danjuma will do the same. They never sent soldiers to attack anybody. They just call.”
The minister also criticised Yerima for allegedly insulting police officers present at the scene.
“Nobody talks like that!” he said.
“A security man saying, ‘Bloody police!’ ‘Who are these bloody police that will talk to you?’ You say you’re a commissioned officer — to God be the glory — but it is these same government officials you’re beating — the ones who made you what you are.”
Wike emphasised that the dispute was not with the Nigerian military as an institution but with an individual he accused of breaking the law.
“I have no problem with the military, and I never will,” he said.
“Why would I have issues with the government? But this is a private matter. Land was not allocated to him; land was allocated to Santos Estate Limited for park and recreation use.”
The minister insisted that whatever criticisms he faced for personally visiting the site were misguided.
He said his presence was necessary to protect government workers carrying out their duties.
“I could not remain passive,” he said.
“Government officials were being obstructed and attacked.”
