Matawalle: Wike Should Have Avoided Altercation with Naval Officer in FCT Land Dispute

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has described the recent confrontation between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer, Lieutenant Commander A.M. Yerima, as unnecessary and avoidable. According to Matawalle, Wike had previously contacted both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff regarding a disputed parcel of land in Abuja, and was advised to allow the military to investigate the matter. However, Wike disregarded this counsel and decided to confront the naval officers directly at the site.

Matawalle explained in an interview with DCL Hausa that the naval officer was simply obeying lawful orders from his superiors and displayed discipline and respect throughout the encounter. “The officer did not violate any military regulation and carried out his duty properly,” Matawalle said. He added that Wike, as a government colleague, should have sought resolution through official channels and exercised patience rather than engaging in a heated exchange at the scene.

The Defence Minister cautioned public officials against disrespecting uniformed personnel, emphasizing that such actions undermine the authority of the President, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. “Anyone who disrespects a soldier indirectly disrespects the President,” he stated, adding that there is no basis for any punishment against the naval officer for his conduct.

The incident unfolded amid the FCT administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal land allocations and unapproved structures within Abuja. Footage of the clash went viral, showing Wike challenging naval officers who were deployed to prevent FCT officials from executing a demolition exercise at the contested site. While the military assured that an inquiry would be conducted, Matawalle stressed that it was imprudent for Wike to bypass these procedures and confront the officers directly.

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Matawalle’s remarks highlight tensions between civil authorities and security forces, calling for greater respect for military discipline and adherence to established protocols in resolving disputes involving government land management.

This article underscores the importance of coordination and respect between civilian government officials and the military to avoid unnecessary conflicts and ensure orderly governance processes.