George Ozalla
A public statement circulating online has intensified scrutiny over the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a young military officer, Lieutenant A. Y. Yerima, during a visit to a disputed parcel of land in Abuja said to belong to former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Awwal Gambo. The account, shared by former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, drew widespread reactions after he posted his position on the matter, according to a post on his Facebook page.
Dalung said the clash reportedly began after officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority complained that they were prevented from carrying out official duties on the site by military personnel. He noted that instead of using established administrative channels or contacting the Ministry of Defence for clarification, Wike arrived at the location with aides and security personnel in what he described as an unnecessary confrontation. Dalung wrote that the minister’s conduct reflected a pattern of behaviour that disregards institutional procedure and encourages avoidable tension.
He said Lieutenant Yerima handled the situation with calmness despite what he described as provocative remarks from the Minister. According to Dalung, Yerima maintained that he was acting on superior orders and stood his ground without losing composure. He added that the moment Wike allegedly referred to the officer as a fool, the matter shifted from a land dispute to a direct affront to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Dalung said Yerima’s quiet response, in which he affirmed that he is a man of integrity, offered a sharp contrast to the minister’s tone. He argued that Yerima’s conduct upheld military discipline and prevented the situation from escalating into a national embarrassment.
The former minister questioned why Wike opted for confrontation instead of reaching out to fellow cabinet members, especially the Minister of Defence, to clarify the issue. He said the approach undermined inter-agency cooperation and suggested a needless appetite for public provocation.
Dalung called for national recognition for Lieutenant Yerima, saying his maturity, discipline, and adherence to military ethics deserve commendation. He said the officer’s restraint helped avert what could have become a broader national incident. He added that Wike must be reminded of the responsibilities of his office and the need to respect institutional boundaries.
Dalung is a former minister and lawyer known for his commentary on governance and national security issues.
