Wike : Ex-Senate President tasks Nigerians on showing maximum respect for military

Former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has urged Nigerians to accord maximum respect to the nation’s armed forces in the wake of the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja.

Lawan, who spoke with journalists after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, praised the military for its sacrifices and commitment to safeguarding the country.

“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,” he said.

He stressed that every Nigerian, regardless of social position or political affiliation, must acknowledge the role of the military in preserving national unity.

“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,” Lawan added.

His comments follow public debate generated by a viral video showing Wike in a heated exchange with military personnel guarding a disputed construction site in Abuja’s Gaduwa District. The land is reportedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.

According to reports, FCT officials had attempted to halt an unauthorised development when soldiers allegedly prevented them from accessing the property. The minister later arrived at the scene and accused the officers of overstepping their authority.

Addressing the incident on Thursday, Wike insisted he intervened because senior government officials were assaulted in the line of duty, describing the deployment of soldiers by a retired 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’ll just sit in my office doing what?” he asked.

He warned against using security operatives for personal interests.

“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.

Wike maintained that the FCT Administration had no record of any legitimate land allocation for the disputed property.

“It’s really unfortunate. I don’t 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’m not one of those kinds of people who will succumb to blackmail,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru said the Defence Headquarters was reviewing the situation, noting that any officer performing a “lawful duty” would be protected.

He added that steps would be taken to prevent further clashes between civilian and military authorities.