According to verified sources, human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some military personnel who allegedly barred him from accessing a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
In a viral video of the incident on Tuesday, Wike was seen expressing outrage at the officer’s presence, insisting that no one, regardless of military rank, was above the law.
The disputed land is reportedly owned by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.), and the video has sparked public debate over civil-military relations and abuse of authority.
Reacting via his X handle, Sowore criticised the military authorities, describing the incident as a reflection of “misplaced priorities” and entrenched self-interest among public officials.
He wrote:
“The military’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the country’s borders, but instead, it is devoting resources to protect a parcel of land for a high-ranking officer, allegedly acting on ‘orders.’”
Sowore also recalled a similar episode during Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor, accusing him of obstructing EFCC officials.
“As governor of Rivers State, Wike once stood in the way of EFCC officers, gun blazing, stopping them from arresting a corrupt judge friend. What a country!”
His comments drew mixed reactions on social media while some supported his stance against political impunity, others urged caution, saying the matter should be investigated further.
Similarly, political commentator Zara Onyinye also weighed in on the controversy, criticising former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka, who had urged Wike to apologise to the officer.
In a Facebook post, Onyinye described Chidoka’s comments as “ignorant,” arguing that the FCT Minister, as the President’s direct appointee, represents civilian authority.
“His argument that all law enforcement officers act for the President is ridiculous. In a democracy, the civilian authority is supreme. The military is answerable to civilian leadership,” she wrote.
She further claimed that public opinion against Wike was politically motivated:
“Anything against Wike is considered right. Whoever challenges him becomes a hero. But this is democracy, soldiers shouldn’t be guarding land for retired officers.”
Onyinye alleged that the disputed land had long been used to intimidate residents, insisting that the military had no business intervening in civil land matters.
“When did it become the military’s duty to secure land that belongs to a retired officer? We just love illegality when it favours us or when it’s directed at someone we hate,” she added.
The confrontation comes weeks after the FCTA demolished 11 duplexes belonging to the Nigeria Police Force in the Apo District for being built under high-tension power lines.
Wike has maintained that the land in question had no valid approval from the Department of Development Control and vowed to escalate the matter to relevant authorities.
As of press time, the Nigerian Navy has yet to issue an official statement. When contacted, Navy spokesman A. Adams-Aliyu said simply: “No reply for now.”
