Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan has urged Nigerians to show maximum respect to the nation’s armed forces as controversy continues to trail the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja.
Lawan made the appeal on Thursday, November 13, after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the State House, where he addressed journalists on issues concerning national security and civil military relations.
According to him, the Nigerian armed forces have made enormous sacrifices to keep the country safe, and citizens of all classes and political affiliations must acknowledge that commitment.
He said, “Let me commend our armed forces and other security agencies for doing so much for us, to protect our lives and property. They deserve our respect. They deserve our support at all times. This administration is giving a lot of funds to the armed forces and other security agencies, and I believe the next thing is to insist on getting returns from the investments we make.”
Lawan added that the nation must appreciate the military’s dedication to safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity.
“But Nigerians, regardless of our status, must respect our armed forces. I have worked closely with them. They are doing a very good job. We need to give them a pat on the back and continue to support them,” he said.
His remarks come amid widespread reactions to the viral video showing an altercation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer at a disputed land site in the Gaduwa area of Abuja. The footage showed Wike angrily confronting the officers after FCT officials were reportedly prevented from accessing a site they claimed was under unauthorized construction.
The land in question has been linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, with soldiers allegedly deployed to barricade the area and stop FCT task force officials from carrying out enforcement operations.
Speaking on Thursday, November 13, Wike maintained that he intervened in the matter because senior government officials carrying out legitimate duties were assaulted. He described the deployment of soldiers by a retired military officer as “an abuse of authority”.
“How can I sit as a minister when government officials are being attacked and beaten up, officials at the level of directors? And I will just sit in my office doing what?” he asked.
Wike warned against the misuse of military personnel for personal interests, saying no individual was above the law.
“You have no document. We cannot continue to act in impunity. You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those they can intimidate,” he told the officer during the confrontation.
The minister insisted that the FCT Administration had no records of legal allocation for the disputed land.
“It is really unfortunate. I do not understand how somebody who attained that position, seeing that he has a problem, cannot approach my office. Simply because he is a military man, they could use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those kinds of people who will succumb to blackmail,” Wike added.
Responding to the incident, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, said any officer on lawful duty would be protected, but stressed that the Defence Headquarters had taken up the matter.
He explained that the military authorities would ensure the issue is handled properly to prevent a breakdown in understanding between civilian authorities and military personnel.
The controversy has continued to spark national debate about the limits of military involvement in civil issues and the need to clearly define authority within the Federal Capital Territory.
