By Comrade Jimmy Okoronkwo
On 11 November 2025, a routine land‑inspection in Gaduwa District turned into a flashpoint when Lt Ahmad Yerima, acting on a purported “superior order,” blocked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike from accessing the site. What followed was not merely a bureaucratic tangle but a stark illustration of two arms of government pulling in opposite directions, with the Defence Ministry publicly defending the officer while the Minister cited constitutional authority. This article examines why such institutional backing is not only legally indefensible but also corrosive to public confidence.
* The Constitutional Framework
Authority Constitutional Provision Relevance to the Dispute
FCT Minister Section 299 – Administration and control of the Federal Capital Territory, including land matters. The Minister is the statutory custodian of all FCT lands and is empowered to enforce revocations and approvals.
Defence Ministry Section 217 – Defence of Nigeria, maintenance of law and order only when called upon by civilian authorities. No provision allows the military to intervene in civilian land disputes unless a state of emergency is declared.
Armed Forces Act Requires lawful command and prohibits execution of orders that breach constitutional rights. Lt Yerima’s alleged order to bar a lawful entry is arguably an illegal command.
*Key Takeaway:* The Constitution places land administration squarely within civilian jurisdiction. Military involvement, absent a declared emergency, is a *clear breach*.
* Chronology of the Clash
1. *October 2025* – The FCT Administration revokes over 1,600 land titles, including the disputed Gaduwa plot, for non‑compliance.
2. *11 Nov 2025* – Lt Yerima, citing a “superior order,” stations soldiers at the site, preventing Minister Wike’s inspection team.
3. *12 Nov 2025* – The Defence Ministry issues a statement: “The military acted on lawful directives and will continue to uphold national security.”
4. *13 Nov 2025* – Civil‑society groups and legal scholars denounce the move as an overreach, demanding accountability.
* Why the Defence Ministry’s Backing is Problematic
– *Undermines Constitutional Order:* By endorsing an illegal order, the Ministry signals that military directives supersede civilian law—a dangerous precedent.
– *Erodes Public Trust:* Citizens perceive the armed forces as a tool for elite interests, not a neutral defender of the nation.
– *Creates Jurisdictional Confusion:* When two branches of government publicly clash, the rule of law collapses, leaving citizens uncertain about whom to obey.
– *Sets a Precedent for Impunity:* If a junior officer can block a minister without consequence, every level of authority may resort to self‑help, destabilising governance.
* Voices from the Legal Community
_“The Defence Ministry’s statement is a textbook case of institutional overreach. The Constitution does not grant the military carte blanche to enforce land disputes. To claim otherwise is to invite chaos.”_
— *Prof. Aisha Nwankwo, Constitutional Law Expert*
_“Minister Wike’s constitutional mandate is clear. The military’s interference, backed by the Defence Ministry, is a blatant violation of the separation of powers.”_
— *Barr. Samuel Okafor, Human Rights Lawyer*
* Recommendations
1. *Immediate Investigation:* The Presidency should order an inquiry into the legality of the order given to Lt Yerima.
2. *Disciplinary Action:* The Chief of Army Staff must sanction Lt Yerima for exceeding lawful commands.
3. *Clarification from Defence Ministry:* A public retraction of the endorsement, reaffirming that military assistance cannot be invoked for civil disputes.
4. *Strengthen Oversight:* Parliament should review the Armed Forces Act to tighten provisions on when and how the military may be deployed domestically.
* Conclusion
The Defence Ministry’s public defence of Lt Yerima, juxtaposed against the FCT Minister’s constitutional duties, has exposed a fissure in Nigeria’s governance fabric. When institutions clash, the only casualty is public confidence. To restore faith, the rule of law must prevail over institutional solidarity. The nation demands accountability, clarity, and a recommitment to the Constitution—lest we normalize impunity as the new normal.
* Call to Action
Citizens, civil‑society organizations, and the media must rally behind transparent investigations and demand that no branch of government—civil or military—operates above the Constitution. Only then can Nigeria truly move beyond the shadows of its past.
(Mr. Okoronkwo is Public Affairs Analyst)
