How Wike ‘insulted’ Tinubu –Ex-CDS Irabor

Former chief of defence staff (CDS) Lucky Irabor has criticised the actions of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), during his recent altercation with a military officer over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.

Irabor spoke on Thursday at a national dialogue on media, terrorism and national security held during the 21st All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) 2025.

The confrontation, which was captured in viral video clips, showed soldiers preventing Wike from entering the land in contention, prompting a heated argument. During the exchange, Wike referred to the naval officer involved, identified as Lt AM Yerima, as “a fool”.

Reacting to the incident, Irabor said the real issue extends beyond the land dispute. He stressed that the uniform symbolises the authority of the Nigerian state and must be respected, regardless of the rank of the officer wearing it.

“The uniform is not about who is wearing it. The uniform represents the authority of the state. Whether it’s a small boy or not, it is the authority of the state,” he said.

He added that insulting a soldier who carries a presidential commission effectively disrespects the authority of President Bola Tinubu.

“It’s even worse when it is a commission led officer who has a presidential commission. And so when you make such disparaging comments, you have desecrated the oath,” he said.

“What you have told the commander-in-chief and the authority that invested that position on him is that they are fools. So it is wrong.”

Irabor further argued that the minister’s conduct should be assessed through the lens of military law, which considers both intent and action.

“In military law, we are taught that for you to be able to establish a crime, there are two elements: actus reus and mens rea. Actus reus, meaning that was this thing done? And then the mens rea, what is the intention behind it?” he said.

He said the discussion should not focus on whether Wike had authority over the land or whether the soldier acted outside his mandate, but on whether the minister’s remarks diminished the dignity of the state.

“Now, if you have any reason to believe that what the young man is doing is wrong, there is a channel for that. That’s the rule of law. So you desecrating the oath is an offence against the state.”

Irabor urged the media to help improve public understanding of the symbolism of the uniform and the oath of office, noting a decline in civic education.

“These are things that primary school pupils, secondary school pupils ought to know,” he said.