Friday, November 14, 2025 - Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan has urged Nigerians to show maximum respect to the nation’s armed forces as controversy continues to trail the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja.
Lawan made the appeal on Thursday, November 13, after
meeting President Bola Tinubu at the State House, where he addressed
journalists on issues concerning national security and civil military
relations.
According to him, the Nigerian armed forces have made
enormous sacrifices to keep the country safe, and citizens of all classes and
political affiliations must acknowledge that commitment.
He said, “Let me commend our armed forces and other security
agencies for doing so much for us, to protect our lives and property. They
deserve our respect. They deserve our support at all times. This administration
is giving a lot of funds to the armed forces and other security agencies, and I
believe the next thing is to insist on getting returns from the investments we
make.”
Lawan added that the nation must appreciate the military’s
dedication to safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity.
“But Nigerians, regardless of our status, must respect our
armed forces. I have worked closely with them. They are doing a very good job.
We need to give them a pat on the back and continue to support them,” he said.
His remarks come amid widespread reactions to the viral
video showing an altercation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval
officer at a disputed land site in the Gaduwa area of Abuja. The footage showed
Wike angrily confronting the officers after FCT officials were reportedly
prevented from accessing a site they claimed was under unauthorized
construction.
The land in question has been linked to a former Chief of
Naval Staff, with soldiers allegedly deployed to barricade the area and stop
FCT task force officials from carrying out enforcement operations.
Speaking on Thursday, November 13, Wike maintained that he
intervened in the matter because senior government officials carrying out
legitimate duties were assaulted. He described the deployment of soldiers by a
retired military officer as “an abuse of authority”.
“How can I sit as a minister when government officials are
being attacked and beaten up, officials at the level of directors? And I will
just sit in my office doing what?” he asked.
Wike warned against the misuse of military personnel for
personal interests, saying no individual was above the law.
“You have no document. We cannot continue to act in
impunity. You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a
gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those they can intimidate,” he told
the officer during the confrontation.
The minister insisted that the FCT Administration had no
records of legal allocation for the disputed land.
“It is really unfortunate. I do not understand how somebody
who attained that position, seeing that he has a problem, cannot approach my
office. Simply because he is a military man, they could use that to intimidate
Nigerians. I am not one of those kinds of people who will succumb to
blackmail,” Wike added.
Responding to the incident, the Minister of Defence,
Mohammed Badaru, said any officer on lawful duty would be protected, but
stressed that the Defence Headquarters had taken up the matter.
He explained that the military authorities would ensure the
issue is handled properly to prevent a breakdown in understanding between
civilian authorities and military personnel.
The controversy has continued to spark national debate about
the limits of military involvement in civil issues and the need to clearly
define authority within the Federal Capital Territory.
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