The clash between the FCT Minister and military personnel at Gudu District, Abuja, sparked nationwide debate after a viral video showed Wike in a heated exchange with a uniformed officer.
The confrontation raised concerns about the balance of power between civilian authorities and the military, as well as transparency in land administration under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Wike: ‘Soldiers acted beyond their authority’
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Wike condemned what he described as the “unlawful interference” of a serving military officer in a matter involving government property.
“How can I sit as a minister while government officials are being attacked and beaten up?”
“How will such officials carry out their duties when they know that their boss cannot protect them?”
The minister stressed that the confrontation was not a conflict between his office and the military, but rather between government enforcement officers and a “private individual” occupying public land.
“It is not military versus government, no.”
This is a private individual. Land was never allocated to him. It was allocated to a company called Santos in 2007 for parks and recreation.
Background: The Gudu land controversy
According to Wike, the 30-hectare land was originally designated for recreational use under the Parks and Recreation Department.
He said a company had applied for a change of land use but the former minister refused the request, adding that the land was later sold illegally.
“They applied for a change of use. The minister refused. The man went and started selling land,” Wike stated.
“Maybe a former chief of staff fell into their scam. But this is government property, not their property.”
The minister said the intervention by security forces during his inspection visit to the site was “unacceptable” and undermined the rule of law.
Respect for institutions
Wike insisted he had always respected Nigeria’s institutions, including the military, but maintained that discipline and procedure must guide all actions.
“I have always respected the military.”
“Even as governor, nobody can say they supported the military more than I did. But respect for institutions means following due process.”
He added that when similar disputes arose in the past, former presidents and generals such as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and General T.Y. Danjuma had handled matters through official communication not through force.
“These are people who cause discipline,” he said.
“They never sent soldiers to attack anybody. They just called you and said, ‘Please look into this matter.’ That’s how a country progresses.”
Reactions and expert views
Legal analysts say Wike’s remarks underscore long-standing tensions in Abuja’s land management system.
An Abuja-based lawyer, Dr. Maxwell Oyedele, told NigeriaUpdates that “the FCT Minister has statutory powers to revoke or reassign land in the public interest, but such actions often trigger institutional pushback when high-ranking officials are involved.”
Public reactions on social media have been divided.
While some Nigerians supported Wike’s firmness in defending public property, others criticised his confrontational tone.
What’s next
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is expected to issue a formal statement clarifying ownership of the Gudu plot and the legal status of the revoked titles.
Analysts say the outcome could influence how future land disputes involving military or political elites are handled in the capital.
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