Wike’s aide explains FCT minister’s clash with soldiers over disputed Abuja land
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has shed light on the circumstances that led to a confrontation between the minister and some soldiers in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Olayinka explained that the altercation stemmed from a land dispute involving a former Chief of Naval Staff who, according to him, was misled in a fraudulent land transaction.
Olayinka stated that the contested property in the Gaduwa district was originally allocated in 2007 to Santos Estate Limited for park and recreation purposes, but the company later attempted to convert it to commercial use.
“That particular land was allocated for park and recreation. The company later sought to change it to commercial use in 2022. In anticipation of approval, they started partitioning and selling the land — including to the former Chief of Naval Staff,” he said.
“The former Naval Chief was scammed, and he knows it. Instead of approaching the authorities for redress, he decided to use military force,” Olayinka added.
Channels Television earlier reported that tension flared when Minister Wike and his team tried to access the disputed site but were blocked by armed soldiers.
“This is unprofessional. You cannot be threatening a minister like this,” one of Wike’s aides was heard saying in a viral video from the scene.
Visibly angered, Wike confronted the soldiers, insisting that no individual or institution was above the law.
“You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot use a gun to intimidate anyone. I am not one of those that can be intimidated,” the minister declared.
Wike also accused those occupying the land of bypassing due process, saying: “You have no document.”
At the time of filing this report, the ex-Naval Chief has yet to issue a statement, while the military authorities have also not commented on the confrontation.
