Wike vs Military: 'How FCT Minister Disobeyed Chief of Defence Staff,' Matawalle Opens Up

• Nyesom Wike's colleague, Bello Matawalle, has confirmed that the ministry of defence has launched a formal investigation into an alleged land dispute between the FCT minister and a naval officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima
• The officer, according to reports, acted under the instruction of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.), a development that has sparked a public debate on civil–military relations within the FCT
• Matawalle described the confrontation that occurred on Tuesday, November 11, as an unnecessary altercation that indirectly disrespected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

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Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.

FCT, Abuja - Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, has insinuated that Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), lacked patience, which caused his fiery clash with Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima on Tuesday, November 13.

Speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa, monitored by Legit.ng, Matawalle claimed that before storming the contested land, Wike phoned General Olufemi Oluyede, the chief of defence staff (CDS), who advised him against going to the site.

Matawalle not impressed with Wike

The Punch quoted Matawalle as saying:

"The minister should understand that every officer has superiors. I gathered that he called the Chief of Defence Staff, who advised him to wait for an investigation. However, he did not wait and instead went straight to the site. As a leader, he ought to have exercised patience and waited for the outcome of the investigation."

The former Zamfara governor disclosed that Wike ignored the advice and proceeded to confront the officers on-site.

Furthermore, Matawalle confirmed that the chief of naval staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, has since visited the disputed site to begin a formal investigation into the ownership of the land.

Legit.ng recalls that on Tuesday, November 11, military officers acting on the instructions of former chief of naval staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retired) resisted efforts by Wike to halt development of a property on Plot 1946 in Gaduwa District l, Abuja.

The incident started when the officers stationed at the site stopped the FCT Administration officials sent to effect a quit notice. Vice Admiral Gambo is laying claim to the land, which his allies insist was acquired legally.

Despite Wike's relentless efforts, the FCT minister could not access the site on Tuesday, November 11.

Read more on Nyesom Wike:

• Wike speaks on Goodluck Jonathan's 2027 presidential ambition, washes hands off PDP chairmanship saga
• Wike reacts to alleged rift with Tinubu over new INEC chairman nomination
• Lt. Yerima: Classmate finally mentions position officer held in school, shares touching story

Obi reacts to Wike's brawl with officer

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, described the altercation between Wike and Lt. Yerima as a "national embarrassment".

Obi stated that the confrontation, which has since gone viral, was “yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing institutional disorder in our country.”

The ex-Anambra state governor questioned the growing trend of using military personnel for civil operations and the frequent intrusion of political officeholders into matters that should be handled by defined protocols.