By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,(FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike has said that the recent confrontation he had with some millitary officers headed by a Naval officer, Ahmed Yerima sent by a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Gambo to prevent the access of the FCTA officials to a disputed land in Gaduwa District should not be misconstrued as fighting the millitary, because he has always have respect for the great institution.
Wike stated this while addressing journalists on Thursday in Abuja, he called for the need for every Nigerians to always operate within the ampit of the law.
He disclosed that the land in question had no prove that it belong to the millitary,saying that impunity and lawlessness under any quise would not be tolerated by the present FCT Administration.
The Minister attributed the controversy surrounding the land to those unhappy with his style of handling matters, particularly his political enemies.
He reaffirmed his commitment to developing the FCT in line with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate.
He praised some leaders who despite their exalted positions they held before in the country still followed due process by contacted him in the past when they have any issues affecting them in FCT for him to resolve it for them, noting that such due process ned to be emulated.
According to him: “No country, no matter how hard you work, you allow impunity, you allow lawlessness to continue to prevail, that country will never grow. Even amongst government officials, not to talk about private individuals. I have read comments.
“Yes, I’ve wounded people politically, I have no regret about it. And I’m not going to stop to wound them where necessary. Yes, people are not happy over it.
“So when things happen like this, you see all manner of things people will say.
“So many people have had problems, General, Olusegun Obasanjo, former head of state, former president, will call me on the phone…Minister, look o! There’s this problem of land and we will solve the problem.
“That is former head of state. Former elected president, he had the courtesy of calling the minister, look, I have this problem. See how you can look into it.
“Retired General, TY Danjuma will call you. Look at this and this. These are people, they are all retired generals, these are people with discipline.
“They didn’t bother because they were former chief of army staff, former presidents. They never sent soldiers. They never sent anybody to go and attack anybody. I have respect for the Military but no lawlessness” He said
