Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his actions following a viral confrontation with a naval officer in Abuja, declaring that while he holds all institutions in high regard, the right thing must always prevail.
Speaking to journalists at his office in Abuja, Wike said, “I respect institutions; the military, the judiciary, every arm of government, but when the right thing must be done, it must be done without fear or favour.” His comment was a direct response to mounting criticism over a video showing him in a tense exchange with a naval officer at a disputed site in Gaduwa, one of Abuja’s highbrow districts.
The incident, which quickly went viral, showed the minister arriving for an inspection of a parcel of land reportedly earmarked for housing development. A naval officer stationed at the location stopped the minister’s convoy, insisting that the land belonged to the former Chief of Naval Staff. The brief standoff escalated when Wike demanded entry, questioning why a federal minister should be denied access to public land.
In the viral clip, Wike is heard saying, “Who are you to stop the Minister of the FCT?” He went ahead to use fowl. language the Naval Officer, an action many have criticised. Before turning to aides and security officials to assert his authority. The exchange quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing millions of views and igniting nationwide debate.
At the press briefing, Wike maintained that his response was not personal but in defence of due process. “The FCT Administration is reclaiming public land meant for development. We cannot allow encroachment under any guise, even from respected institutions. Abuja belongs to all Nigerians, not to any single agency,” he said firmly.
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Supporters have praised Wike’s stance as evidence of strong governance and political courage. “Wike is simply enforcing the law and protecting the public interest,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter), while others described his reaction as consistent with his record of decisive leadership both as Rivers State governor and now as FCT Minister.
However, critics from across the political divide accused him of excessive aggression and lack of decorum. Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, called for restraint among public officials, warning that confrontations between politicians and security operatives undermine institutional harmony. Legal experts also condemned the minister’s language, saying it reflected disregard for civil-military protocol.
Despite the backlash, Wike remains unmoved. “Leadership is not about playing to the gallery,” he said. “When you are entrusted with public responsibility, you must act even when it is unpopular. That is what I did.”
As the debate continues, Wike has already moved on to his next inspection round, a reminder that for the FCT Minister, controversy is never a setback but part of his governing rhythm.
