By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has emphasized that he respects the military, but stressed that they must operate within the law.
His comments follow a recent confrontation with a naval officer, Ahmed Yerima, who apparently acted on instructions from retired Chief Naval Officer Awwal Gambo over a disputed land in Gaduwa District, Abuja.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, Wike stated that there were no documents to prove the military owned the land, adding that impunity and lawlessness would not be tolerated among government officials.
He commended leaders who contact him to resolve issues affecting them in the FCT, emphasizing that due process is paramount.
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.
Wike said, “No country, no matter how hard you work, you allow impurity, 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 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 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
