Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the Nigerian military for its role in a recent confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
In a viral video from the scene, Wike was seen confronting military personnel who allegedly prevented him from accessing the land, said to be owned by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.). The incident has since sparked heated debate across social media.
Reacting on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore accused the military of “misplaced priorities,” arguing that its resources should be focused on defending Nigeria’s borders, not protecting private property for high-ranking officers.
“The military’s job is to protect the nation, not guard land for a retired admiral under the guise of ‘orders,’” Sowore wrote.
“This reflects the self-interest and corruption of officials serving a privileged few Wike included.”
Sowore also drew parallels with Wike’s time as Rivers State governor, alleging that he once obstructed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers attempting to arrest a judge.
“As governor, Wike stopped EFCC agents guns blazing from arresting a corrupt judge friend. What a country!” he wrote.
The comments drew mixed reactions online, with some praising Sowore’s stance against impunity, while others argued that the dispute between Wike and the military required further investigation.
Meanwhile, political commentator Zara Onyinye also weighed in, criticising former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, who had urged Wike to apologise to the military officer involved.
Onyinye dismissed Chidoka’s position as “pseudo-intellectual hypocrisy,” insisting that civilian authority supersedes military command in a democracy.
“In what law does a soldier represent the President?” she asked.
“The FCT Minister is the President’s appointee—military officers cannot defy him under the guise of following illegal orders.”
She accused critics of politicising the issue because of their dislike for Wike, arguing that the FCT Minister was being unfairly targeted.
“Anything against Wike is celebrated. But the military has no business protecting land for a retired officer this is democracy, not a military regime,” she said.
The Punch reports that the disputed land case has lingered for over a year, with allegations that the retired naval officer has used the military to intimidate residents and officials.
Tuesday’s confrontation followed the recent demolition of 11 Police-owned duplexes in Abuja’s Apo District, which the FCT Administration said were illegally built under high-tension power lines.
Wike has vowed to escalate the matter to higher authorities, insisting that the FCTA’s Department of Development Control never approved the contested land.
As of press time, the Nigerian Navy had not issued an official statement. When contacted, its spokesman, A. Adams-Aliyu, said: “No reply for now.”
Advertisement
