ABUJA: Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his public altercation with a naval officer, A.M. Yerima, during a demolition enforcement exercise in Abuja.
The confrontation occurred after Wike accused former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.), of illegal land grabbing and ordered the Department of Development Control to demolish the disputed structure.
Military personnel led by Yerima, however, blocked the demolition team, leading to a heated exchange between the minister and the officer.
Speaking at the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), Irabor faulted Wike’s conduct and insisted the minister had crossed a line.
According to Irabor, attacking a uniformed officer regardless of age or rank is an attack on the authority of the Nigerian state.
The uniform is not about who is wearing it. The uniform represents the authority of the state. Whether it is a small boy or not, it is the authority of the state,he said.
He stressed that a commissioned officer carries the President’s authority, adding that publicly belittling such an officer amounts to desecrating the oath.
Irabor argued that Wike’s comments could encourage citizens to undermine the military, warning that such attitudes weaken national discipline and security culture.
The retired General also criticized legal analysts who defended Wike’s outburst, insisting they missed the point.
When a SAN says the minister has authority over land and it is not the duty of the soldier, that is not the issue.
If you believe the officer is wrong, there are proper channels. Once you disparage him in uniform, it becomes an offence against the stat the said.
Irabor lamented the declining respect for military authority in Nigeria and urged the media to educate the public on civic responsibility and patriotism. These are things primary and secondary school pupils ought to know,” he added.
