* As retired generals, CISLAC, others call for presidents sanction
* Odinkalu claims alcohol reason for recklessness
* Minister’s aides, acolytes disagree, justify actions
* We shall occupy MFCT until Wikes removed – Veterans
* As many insist his actions rubbing off negatively on Tinubu’s administration
Although his name has continued to elicit mixed reactions from Nigerians some favourable, others demeaning a storm is gathering around President Bola Tinubu as pressure intensifies for the removal of Nyesom Wike, the volatile Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, DAUDA ISMAIL writes.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has long occupied the headlines for diverse reasons some commendable, others unflattering, and at times deeply disparaging. The latest controversy erupted when he publicly insulted a serving naval officer during a demolition exercise in Abujas Gaduwa district, calling him a big fool in a widely circulated video. Many observers believe the minister has stirred the hornets nest by this action.
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, swiftly condemned the incident as gross indiscipline and recklessness unbecoming of a public officer. Its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said Wikes conduct reflected arrogance and poor emotional control traits he argued had trailed him since his tenure as Rivers State governor. CISLAC called on President Tinubu to demand a public apology from Wike to the Armed Forces and to order an independent investigation.
The military establishment has also been unanimous in criticising Wikes outburst and public denigration of a uniformed officer. Senior military figures, both serving and retired, have taken turns to condemn the confrontation.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), described Wikes behaviour as disrespectful and a threat to national security. He said the ministers action transcends mere misconduct and undermines the chain of command, urging him to apologise to President Tinubu, the Armed Forces, and the officer involved. Retired Brigadier-General Peter Aro added that the clash reflected poor adherence to democratic norms. He emphasised that while a minister may question land ownership, humiliating a uniformed officer on duty is unacceptable and inconsistent with due process.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), also weighed in, warning that public disrespect for uniformed services constitutes an affront to the authority of the Nigerian state. In his keynote address at the national dialogue on media, terrorism and national security during the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference in Abuja, he stressed that the uniform of a military or security officer symbolises the power, dignity and sovereignty of the nation.
It is not about who is wearing it; it represents the authority of the state, he said. Irabor reminded citizens that even senior officers are bound by strict codes of conduct. Even as a General, I cannot slap my soldier. If I do, I will face disciplinary action. There are laid-down mechanisms for addressing misconduct, and that is what distinguishes a lawful state from a jungle.
He further explained that every offence must be weighed through actus reus (the act) and mens rea (the intent). Although the FCT minister has authority over land matters, Irabor argued that the heart of the controversy lies in respect for state authority as embodied by uniformed officers. He lamented what he described as the erosion of civic education in the country.
Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru confirmed that the ministry was probing the altercation. Speaking at the National Defence College, Abuja, he praised the naval officers restraint and assured that the Armed Forces would continue to protect personnel performing lawful duties.
For human rights activist and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Wikes recurring tantrums stem from alcohol consumption. He argued that Wike acted without legal authority, branding his conduct ministerial vigilantism. Odinkalu noted that the minister had no right to enter land in adverse possession without a court order. He warned that the confrontation jeopardised presidential authority, adding that the officer corps would be watching how the Commander-in-Chief responds.
Wikes clash with Lieutenant Yerima has now triggered a torrent of calls for his removal. CISLAC and Transparency International Nigeria have urged President Tinubu to sack the minister for verbally assaulting a serving naval officer, calling it a gross disrespect to the Nigerian military and the Commander-in-Chief. Speaking in Lagos at a workshop on corruption reporting in the defence sector, Executive Director Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) said the insult harmed the morale of troops fighting insecurity nationwide. This is not just about one officer, he said. It is a disrespect to the Nigerian Armed Forces and, by extension, to the President. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated.
He stressed that Nigeria cannot afford political intimidation of its security services at a time of terrorism, banditry, oil theft and other threats.
Retired members of the Armed Forces, under the Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans, have also demanded Wikes dismissal or redeployment. Comprising retired generals and senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force, the coalition threatened to mobilise and occupy the FCT ministry if Tinubu fails to act. At a press conference in Kaduna, Col. Yusuf Ibrahim (retd.) described the ministers behaviour as demeaning and a direct insult to the Armed Forces and the Commander-in-Chief. He said the naval officer acted under lawful orders and that Wikes public humiliation of him was disgraceful. Insulting a commissioned officer is as good as insulting the president, he declared.
More than 600 civil society organisations have also backed General Buratais position and jointly demanded Wikes immediate removal. Under the umbrella of the Good Governance Network, GGN, the groups described his behaviour as unacceptable, reckless and dangerous to national unity. In their communiqué, they said Wikes conduct amounted to an attack on the integrity of the Armed Forces and the office of the Commander-in-Chief. Signatories included the Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Governance, Nigerian Integrity Movement, Citizens Watch Forum, Anti-Corruption Vanguard Network, Youth for Ethical Leadership Initiative, and Rule of Law Advocates Nigeria, among others.
Political commentators and opposition figures have similarly argued that Wike’s attitude is damaging President Tinubu’s administration. Critics such as former presidential aide Reuben Abati and APC chieftain Adamu Garba describe him as rude, disrespectful and confrontational, and warn that his frequent public outbursts are becoming a liability.
However, Wike’s aides have come to his defence. Speaking on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to the FCT Minister, argued that not every order from a superior officer must be obeyed. He insisted that only lawful orders should be followed, adding: Not all orders are meant to be obeyed because they come from your superior. Only lawful orders should be carried out.
