Soldiers blocked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike from accessing a controversial Gaduwa land on Tuesday, November 11, leading to a heated verbal confrontation at the site.
Wike, who was with officials from the FCT Development Administration, engaged in a heated argument with the soldiers, who insisted they were acting on ‘orders from above’ to prevent access to the site
The FCT Minister shouted on top of his voice but the soldiers stood their Ground. He asked why the soldiers mounted a siege to the property simply because it was linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” Wike said.
But the officer objected saying the acquisition was lawful.
“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he replied.
“Shut up,” Wike shouted but the officer responded, “I will not shut up.”
“You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school,” Wike said.
“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there
and let me see.”
As the situation intensified, security operatives in Wike’s escort attempted to negotiate with the armed soldiers, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
The minister seized the moment to deliver a scathing rebuke of military overreach.
“We cannot continue to act in impunity,” Wike roared. “We cannot continue this way. This country cannot go along this line.”
He challenged the core principle of civilian authority versus military might: “You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that they can intimidate.”
Despite his vocal fury, the minister was barred entry by the soldiers, who insisted they were merely following “orders from above.”
The Minister concluded his dressing down by criticizing the alleged land owner’s refusal to engage through official channels: “I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position, seeing that he has a problem, cannot approach my office… I’m not one of those kinds of people who will succumb to blackmail.”
