Military-Ministerial Clash in Abuja Sparks Controversy Over Land Dispute

A confrontation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and military personnel over disputed property in Abuja has drawn sharp criticism from former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, highlighted tensions between civil authorities and military leadership in the Federal Capital Territory.

The altercation began when a senior Naval officer, claiming to act on directives from former Chief of Naval Staff Awal Gambo, blocked Minister Wike and FCT Administration officials from accessing a contested piece of land. The situation quickly escalated into a heated exchange between the minister and military representatives.

Speaking through a Facebook video statement, Asari Dokubo strongly condemned the military officer’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to constitutional authority. “The Minister is the governor of the FCT and constitutionally, he is the chief security officer outside the president of the city of Abuja,” Dokubo stated, calling for disciplinary action against the officer involved.

Despite acknowledging his complex personal history with Wike, Dokubo maintained that the incident warranted serious consequences. “I might not like Wike, our relationships have witnessed ups and downs, but in any sane society, that fellow ought to have been court marshalled,” he declared.

The former militant leader emphasized that military personnel must operate within constitutional boundaries and respect proper land development procedures in the FCT. He defended Wike’s presence at the site as a demonstration of proper executive oversight, stating, “If Wike himself did not go there, they would say government officials do not take their work seriously.”

The incident has raised questions about jurisdictional authority and proper protocols between military and civilian leadership in the Federal Capital Territory, with Dokubo asserting that such confrontations “can’t happen anywhere outside Nigeria.”