Reuben Abati Urges President Tinubu To Take Action Against Wike Following Abuja Naval Officer Land Confrontation

 

Nigerian journalist and political analyst, Reuben Abati, has called for President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action against Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following a recent confrontation between the minister and a naval officer, Lt. Ahmad Yerima, over a disputed piece of land in Abuja.

Speaking during ARISE Television’s morning show on Friday, Abati expressed strong criticism of Wike’s behavior, emphasizing that ministers in Nigeria are not above the law and have no authority to intimidate or dictate actions to the media, the military, or other public officials. He argued that such conduct undermines the principles of governance and public accountability. “The time has come for President Tinubu to call Wike to order. Nobody is above the law of the land, and no minister has the power to intimidate everybody. No minister has the power to dictate to everybody. You dictate to the media, you dictate to the military, on the basis of what?” Abati questioned.

Wike has responded to these criticisms, challenging commentators who claimed that he had “met his match” during the altercation with Lt. Yerima. The minister dismissed such statements as inaccurate and reflective of lazy reporting, insisting that the public debate has largely ignored the underlying threat faced by government officials performing lawful duties. He stressed that proper investigation would reveal a more complex reality than the simplified narrative often presented by media outlets.

The minister further condemned the rising incidents of attacks against Federal Capital Territory Administration officials during enforcement assignments. He warned that such violent encounters have increased in frequency and intensity over recent months, affecting officials at various levels, including those holding director-level positions. Wike argued that these attacks create a hostile environment for officials tasked with implementing government policies and questioned the logic of allowing such assaults to occur under his watch.

Commentators have noted that the confrontation between Wike and Lt. Yerima has sparked widespread debate, highlighting tensions between public officials and law enforcement personnel over land disputes and governance protocols in the nation’s capital. The incident has also intensified scrutiny of ministerial conduct and the limits of authority in Nigeria’s political framework, raising questions about accountability and professional boundaries.

Observers suggest that President Tinubu’s intervention may be crucial in restoring confidence in ministerial accountability and ensuring that enforcement of laws proceeds without intimidation or conflict. The situation underscores broader concerns about governance, the rule of law, and the need for clear operational limits for high-ranking government officials to prevent public controversies and preserve institutional integrity.