By our reporter
A bloodbath was averted today in Abuja when Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a commissioned officer of the nation’s Armed Forces, exchanged hot words over an alleged illegal land acquisition by a former Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) in the plush Gaduwa District.
The incident has literally set the internet on fire, with several reactions from Nigerians,some blaming the Minister for what they described as using uncouth language unbecoming of a public officer on a uniformed personnel.
Wike, wearing a green body-hugging long dress with cap to match, had stormed the site with his usual retinue of armed security, aides and some officials of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
On arrival, he moved straight to gain entry into the site,but ran into a totally unexpected brick wall as a young military officer in combat fatigue, who led some armed soldiers, halted his advance and refused him access to the place, citing orders from above.
Perhaps for a Minister not used to being denied his way in the line of duty in Abuja, Wike proceeded to question the slightly fair-complexioned officer, whose accent indicated that he hails from the far North.
The flurry of questions led to an altercation.
A video of the altercation,which has since gone viral, showed the obviously irritated Minister, face visibly contorted in rage, accusing the military of illegally taking possession of the land.
The officer responded that he had instructions from above not to allow anyone into the place.
Wike queried: “Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff.”
Interjecting, the officer told the Minister that the acquisition was lawful and that he acted professionally.
“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he responded.
However, security operatives on both sides almost came to blows as some of those with the Minister tried to interrupt the officer, forcing the latter to tell one of them that ‘‘you are my junior.”
Tension rose further when one of the soldiers, who was with the officer, charged at Wike’s officials, weapon drawn.
It was the calming order from the officer that saved the situation from degenerating into a possible shootout even as many lives there, including Wike’s, were at stake.
Further haranguing the officer, Wike referred to him as a fool, but the officer promptly rejected the claim, telling the Minister: “I am not a fool, Sir. I am not a fool, Sir. But you can’t enter this place.”
Then the Minister screamed at him to shut up, to which the officer refused.
The officer’s politeness and calm responses, under a barrage of verbal attacks by Wike, disarmed a small crowd which had gathered nearby to watch the drama.
Later, Wike turned around,still talking, and left,his entourage in his wake; then,after a few paces, turned back to head towards the officer and his soldiers, but, deciding against that course of action, warned: “Go and develop here,let me see you…Get out!”
With his left hand casually tucked inside the pocket of his dress, he finally began walking out of the place,his retinue in tow,most talking,some condemning what “that young man” did to the Minister.
As Minister of FCT, he has the power to demolish structures deemed illegal “in the public interest.”
With the entourage walking away from the scene, an official was heard calling for “Director of Press” for unknown reasons,though a source said it may have been to see what can be done to try and keep the shameful development out of the media or to receive instructions to issue a timely press release watering down the sordid aspects of the face-off.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Wike (left,with glasses) and the officer (right) during the confrontation… today.
