Wike Berates Buratai Over Comment over Altercation With Naval Officer

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has sharply criticised former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), over his recent remarks concerning the minister’s public confrontation with a naval officer in Abuja.

The clash, which occurred at a disputed building site in Gaduwa, involved Wike questioning the presence and conduct of Lt. A.M. Yerima, a naval personnel said to be acting on directives linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff. Wike insisted the construction on the land was illegal and challenged the officer for allegedly enforcing an unlawful order.

Buratai, in a separate reaction, condemned Wike’s conduct, describing the minister’s public outburst as “a clear and present danger to national security.” He argued that Wike’s confrontation undermined the authority of the Armed Forces and could set a damaging precedent for civil-military relations. He called on the minister to tender a public apology to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian military, and the officer involved.

But Wike dismissed Buratai’s admonition, insisting the former Army Chief misunderstood the situation. He maintained that the naval officer acted improperly and stressed that no one, including those in uniform, is above the law. The minister argued that enforcing or obeying an “illegal order” goes against established principles of governance and accountability.

The row deepened after the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, weighed in, saying Wike ignored earlier advice from service chiefs before engaging the naval officer at the site. Matawalle defended Lt. Yerima, stating that the officer acted within the directives he received and did not act disrespectfully during the exchange.

The episode has drawn wider reactions, with some former military leaders warning that public altercations with uniformed officers could erode discipline, while legal voices such as human rights lawyer Femi Falana criticised both sides for overstepping their boundaries.

As the controversy continues, the incident has stirred national debate on the balance between civilian authority, military conduct, and the enforcement of the rule of law within the Federal Capital Territory.