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Tag: Nyesom Wike

  • Wike applauds President’s support for Judiciary, other arms

    Wike applauds President’s support for Judiciary, other arms

    •Minister dismisses claims of compromising third arm of govt

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for the Judiciary.

    The minister also dismissed claims that ongoing judicial infrastructure projects in Abuja could compromise the independence of the Judiciary.

    Wike spoke after inspecting several judicial projects in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

    The projects include the Court of Appeal complex, the Judges’ Quarters, and the heads of the Court of Appeal.

    The projects, which he said are presidential interventions to the third arm of government to ensure its independence, are being executed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through the supervision of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

    Wike insisted that the intervention is solely aimed at improving the welfare, security and efficiency within the third arm of government.

    He said: “There is nothing you would do that critics would not criticise. Before now, people complained that judges had nowhere to stay to do their work effectively. Now that the government is providing accommodation, they say it is an attempt to buy them. How many people can you buy?”

    The FCT minister stressed that no democracy can function without a strong and independent judiciary.

    He noted that providing decent accommodation and a secure environment for judges does not undermine their constitutional independence.

    “You can’t talk about democracy without talking about the judiciary. You also can’t expect them to perform efficiently when they don’t have befitting places to stay. Even when funds are released to the judiciary, it is still the executive that provides those funds,” Wike stated.

    The minister explained that the projects followed a clear directive by President Tinubu after his inauguration in May 2023, mandating the FCT Administration to reduce the accommodation burden on judges and improve their welfare.

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    Wike explained that one of the key projects, a Court of Appeal division with a separate administrative headquarters, was between 85 and 90 per cent completed.

    “We were there this morning and saw that the work is almost finished. That directive was very clear, and we are glad that it is being faithfully implemented,” he said.

    The minister announced that the FCT Administration was also constructing 40 residential houses for judges, 20 for the FCT High Court, 10 for the Court of Appeal and 10 for the Federal High Court, with plans underway to begin similar housing projects for the National Industrial Court (NIC).

    Wike stated that official residences, referred to as “Houses of Courts,” were being built for heads of courts, including the President of the Court of Appeal, the President of the National Industrial Court, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court.

    “We believe that by June or July, with the speed of work we are seeing, these projects will be handed over for Mr. President to formally present to the Judiciary,” he said.

    Wike described the development as unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.

    Allaying fears over delays in completing the Court of Appeal complex, Wike attributed the setback to last year’s unusually heavy rainfall but assured that the project is now nearing completion and would be inaugurated during President Tinubu’s third year in office.

    The FCT minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, reiterating the commitment of the Tinubu administration to strengthening the judiciary as a vital pillar of Nigeria’s democratic system.

  • Wike inaugurates, NDDC 9.4km road, 1,500-seater hall in Rivers community

    Wike inaugurates, NDDC 9.4km road, 1,500-seater hall in Rivers community

    The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated 9.4-kilometre Ogu Community Road Network and a 1,500-seater Royal Hall built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Ogu, Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the two projects, Wike said they were further demonstrations of the Federal Government’s determination to develop the Niger Delta region.

    He said: “I am overwhelmed by the current level of development in Ogu, facilitated by the NDDC. I have seen the network of concrete roads with drainages and I am impressed.

    “The NDDC has impacted positively on the lives of the people of Ogu, and this is largely because of the working understanding between the NDDC Managing Director and the Executive Director, Finance and Administration.

    “This is the first time I am participating in the activities of the NDDC, and this is because I am satisfied with the performance of the current leadership of the Commission. They have demonstrated that they are working for the people.

    The Minister in a statement by the NDDC Director, Corporate Communications, Seledi Thompson-Wakama charged all government agencies to join hands to ensure the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

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    NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the road and the town hall as dividends of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. 

    He noted that the NDDC was spreading the good news of President Tinubu through tangible results.

    He described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory as a “champion of development,” with footprints in Rivers State and the nation’s capital.

    Ogbuku restated the commission’s commitment to the mandate given to it by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to change the narrative in Nigeria’s oil-producing region. 

    Ogbuku affirmed that the commission was engaging all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in developing the Niger Delta region.

    He charged the communities in the Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area to join hands in owning and maintaining the NDDC projects in their areas.

    INDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, noted that the people of Ogu were full of joy over the projects and reassured them that the present board of the Commission would not relent in spreading development to all communities.

    In his project brief, the NDDC Director of Project Monitoring and Supervision, Engr. Gbenga Omowale, explained that the Ogu Community Road Network (Phases 1 and 2) comprised a 9.450 km rigid pavement road with an average width of 7.3m.

    According to him, the road project covered a total of 12,600km of reinforced concrete line drains, slabs and ring culverts.

    Omowale said the road would provide an easy, accessible network connecting the villages in Ogu and its neighbouring communities, as well as improve socio-economic conditions in the communities along the alignment.

    On the Royal Hall, the Director explained that the 1,500-seater capacity town hall was furnished with state-of-the-art fittings, including firefighting equipment, at strategic positions, acoustic walls to ensure efficient sound filter and heat absorption, multiple air conditioners to ensure the comfort of the users and an efficient public sound system.

    In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Egbelekpeke, expressed gratitude to the NDDC for executing various projects in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area. He commended the vision and leadership of the NDDC Board and Management, noting that the quality of the projects was exceptional.

  • Tinubu’s re-election in Rivers sure – Wike

    Tinubu’s re-election in Rivers sure – Wike

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said Rivers State is leading others in mobilising support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

    Wike stated this during the inauguration of senatorial and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    The event was organised in support of Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    He insisted that Rivers State was setting the pace in political mobilisation and would continue to lead others in demonstrating support for the President.

    “I know after today, other states may inaugurate their own structures, but Rivers State will always lead the way. 

    “Support is not by mouth; we have shown commitment with action,” he added.

    He said that political activities ahead of coming elections had officially commenced, adding that ward-level inaugurations of the ambassadors would follow.

    The Minister, who questioned Governor Simi Fubara’s commitment to supporting Tinubu, said: “You cannot have a Governor in the state while we are openly declaring support for President Tinubu and he is not aligning. 

    “How then do you expect a reward?”

    He argued that political reward is tied to commitment, not financial contribution saying, “You don’t need N600 billion, all you need is commitment. That is what brings reward, even if it brings envy”.

    Wike further explained that the event was a rainbow coalition effort and thanked President Tinubu for supporting the coalition in producing candidates for the February 21 by-elections in khana Constituency II and Ahoada West Constituency II.

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    He urged the electorates to come out enmasse on February 21 and vote for the two candidates irrespective of their political party affiliations.

    “We give out the buses to ensure proper mobilisation for the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he urged.

    Rivers Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors,  Ambassador Desmond Akawor,  thanked supporters of the PDP and APC for coming out in large numbers to show support for the President. 

    Senator George Sekibo,  who spoke on behalf of federal government political appointees assured Tinubu of continued support from Rivers State, thanking him for the laudable appointments and projects in the state 

    According to him, no President has embarked on projects of this magnitude while also appointing Rivers indigenes. 

    “Tell the President we are grateful,” Sekibo said.

    Speaking on behalf of the National Assembly caucus, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, also reaffirmed support for Tinubu and endorsed his re-election bid in 2027.

    “What we did in 2023,  we will do better in 2027. Politics is give and take,” Chinda said.

    Rivers Speaker Martins Amaewhule and former  chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, also pledged support for President Tinubu, 

    Rivers PDP and APC Chairmen, Aaron Chukwuemeka and Tony Okocha, assured that the party was fully mobilised ahead of the 2027 election.

  • Subsidy removal boosts states’ revenue, says Wike

    Subsidy removal boosts states’ revenue, says Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu has significantly increased the funds available to state governments.

    Wike made the remark on Monday during his end-of-the-year live broadcast, monitored in Port Harcourt. He described the subsidy removal as a bold and courageous decision, noting that it has enabled several states to prepare annual budgets exceeding N1 trillion.

    According to him, the increased flow of funds has also attracted the attention of “smart Nigerians” who are seeking ways to access their share of the “national cake” through various means.

    Wike noted that with more resources now available to state governments, the quality of life of citizens should improve, urging residents to demand accountability from their governors.

    He added that during his eight years as governor of Rivers State, he never had access to the level of funds currently available to state governments, stressing that his administration never received more than N200 billion in any single year.

    “In all my life, as governor for eight years in Rivers, I never received from the Federation Account more than N200 billion in a year. The records are there.

    “States are now making a budget of over a trillion because the removal of fuel subsidy has now made money available to the states and so most of them are blindfolded,” he said.

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    The minister said that he would do wonders if he had N500 billion in FCT account, stressing that FCT gets only one per cent of the share of the Federal Government (FG) from the federation account.    

    “Take for example, if FG gets N1 trillion, 1 percent is N10 million and that is not enough to pay salary. I will have to go back to Internally Generated Revenue, but look at what is happening in Abuja?   

    “With the little we have got, we have been able to do the best that we can for the residents of FCT,” he said.   

    He, however, cautioned that money has its own limitations, adding that there were areas where money could go but goodwill would take someone there.

    He expressed confidence that the candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC) would win the FCT Area Councils’ election, scheduled for February due to Tinubu’s goodwill.

    He added that no President had done what Tinubu did in the FCT Area Councils, which he said will give the APC candidates an upper hand. 

    The minister equally added that beyond infrastructure, the FCT Administration had intervened in education, health, and the agricultural sectors.

    “This, in the long run, will improve the standard of living of the people,” he said.

  • Wike urges Nigerians to pray for leaders

    Wike urges Nigerians to pray for leaders

    Federal Capital Territory  (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to pray for Nigeria and its  leaders. 

    Wike, in his Christmas message, said ‘’as we celebrate, it is pertinent to also appreciate the good people of the FCT for their cooperation and support for the administration all through the year 2025.’’

    The minister  said: “Esteemed residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on behalf of the Administration of the FCT, I wish you, especially the Christian faithfuls, a Merry Christmas as you celebrate this season.

    “Christmas, is the celebration of the birth of the Jesus Christ. All over the world, it is a season of joy, giving, sharing, and good neighbourliness.

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    “I felicitate with Christians in the FCT as they celebrate Christmas and urge them to see the period as one of sober reflection, ensuring that they share good tidings and goodwill towards fellow residents in the Territory, thereby creating the peace, harmony and prosperity desirable in the nation’s capital.

    “I enjoin our Christian residents to use the occasion of Christmas to reflect and to rededicate themselves to the virtues of love, unity and peace which are the recurrent themes of the message of Jesus Christ.

    “The occasion also offers us a unique opportunity to pray for our leaders, and indeed, our country Nigeria, that we may enjoy peace and progress in the coming years.

    “It is an indisputable fact that monumental developments have taken place in the last 12 months in every sector. Schools have been renovated, hospitals staffed and equipped, roads and bridges constructed in every area council, the judiciary supported and security enhanced. Indeed, it has been a year of remarkable achievements and we thank residents for their cooperation.”

    “I must appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu  for his massive support towards the development of the FCT.’’ 

  • Wike assures Judiciary of President’s continued support

    Wike assures Judiciary of President’s continued support

    • FCT to build more houses for judges

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to support the Judiciary to enhance productivity, reduce delays, and uphold the independence and integrity of the judiciary.

    The minister announced that budgetary provisions had been made to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court judges to mitigate housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers are appropriately accommodated. 

    In his goodwill message yesterday at a special court session formally marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, Wike said: “Well-equipped court facilities, chambers, and support infrastructure ensure that judicial work is conducted in a professional, safe, and conducive environment.”

    He added: “Under the President’s decisive action, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has formally handed over the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the Supreme Court’s land and commenced the full perimeter fencing of the entire complex to safeguard the nation’s apex court against encroachment and security breaches. This swift, long-awaited intervention gives the Apex Court of our beloved country the much-needed confidence-building that had not been done in past administrations. These confidence-building actions trickle down to each arm of the judiciary.”

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    The minister also listed various interventions and supports of the President for the Judiciary through the FCTA.

    These, he said, include the ongoing construction of secure and befitting residential quarters for Heads of Courts within the FCT and the ongoing construction of a new Magistrates’ Court Complex in Jabi District to expand access to justice for FCT residents and reduce the burden on existing court infrastructure.

    Others are: the construction of Staff Quarters for the Nigerian Law School in the FCT, and design and construction of the Court of Appeal Abuja division Complex, as well as residences of the Justices of the National Industrial High Court Abuja Division and Federal High Court Abuja Division.

    He stated that the projects were designed to directly support judges in the performance of their duties, saying that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration reasons that providing comfortable and secure accommodation allows judges to focus entirely on the timely and efficient administration of justice, free from the distractions of inadequate living conditions.”

    Reiterating the continued support of the FCTA to the implementation of justice reforms, Wike said: “As we step into the new legal year, the FCT Administration remains resolute in its determination to further support the implementation of justice reforms. Our priorities for the 2025/2026 legal year are focused on consolidating the gains made and expanding support where it is most needed. 

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA), on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT minister said: “We will aggressively push for the timely completion of the new residential quarters for Heads of Courts and the Jabi Magistrates’ Court Complex to ensure prompt utilisation. Furthermore, we have made budgetary provisions to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court Judges to mitigate housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers are appropriately accommodated.

    “We will continue to collaborate with the various FCT-based judiciaries (including the Court of Appeal) to support the digitisation of court proceedings and registries to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes, and accelerate the dispensation of justice.

    “Let me state that Justice must never be compromised under any circumstances, for it is the bedrock of our democracy and the safeguard of public trust.

    “It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, judges, legal practitioners, government agencies, and citizens alike to work collaboratively to strengthen and improve our judicial system. I am confident that the commencement of this 2025/2026 Legal Year will herald a period of unprecedented success, wisdom, and efficiency for the Court of Appeal.”

  • Why Apo-Karshi road project was terminated, by Wike 

    Why Apo-Karshi road project was terminated, by Wike 

    …says FCTA committed to boosting rural infrastructure 

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday clarified the FCT Administration’s decision to terminate the contract for the long-delayed Apo-Karshi Road project.

    The action, Wike said, was necessary to end public suffering and ensure timely completion.

    The Minister stated this while briefing reporters shortly after an inspection tour of ongoing Apo/Karshi, Bwari/Kubwa, and Gbazango road projects in AMAC and Bwari Area Councils of the FCT.

    Wike confirmed that the contract for the Apo/Karshi road, originally awarded in 2011, was cancelled and immediately re-awarded to a more competent firm, SCC Construction Company, and will be completed within the next 12 months.

    He said, “Because of the importance of that road, we felt that we had to relieve the hardship on the people there and then connect to Apo and Wasa. So, I think it’s a major decision we took for the interest of the people of Abuja”.

    The Minister explained that upon assuming office in 2023, the previous contractor, Kakarta Construction Nigeria Limited, was given a final opportunity to deliver the project within six months but noted that despite multiple visits to the site, no meaningful work was done.

    He said, “Unfortunately, it was a very big disappointment and therefore, we had no choice but to terminate it and give it to a more competent and serious contractor, which is SCC”.

    Describing the Apo-Karshi road project as vital for alleviating hardship on residents, connecting communities to Apo and Wasa, and decongesting major corridors, the Minister said the entire 14-kilometre stretch of the road will be reconstructed to meet the required standard.

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    He expressed confidence in the capacity of the new contractor to deliver the job within the agreed schedule.

    “I believe the SCC is a major company that has been carrying out construction in Abuja, and they have what it takes in terms of equipment. We have gone to Apo Karshi several times, but we never saw the equipment of the previous contractor. But look at it today, you can see that SCC is a company that is very serious”, the Minister stated.

    He also clarified that the contract was re-awarded through an emergency procurement process, which, he said, was essential to avoid further delays that would have been caused by a prolonged standard procurement cycle.

    Providing updates on the road project connecting Bwari town to Kubwa in Bwari Area Council, which was re-awarded to SCC and the Gbazango road project, which was also originally awarded in 2011 and re-awarded to Zeberced Construction, Barr. Wike said the projects will further boost satellite town infrastructure.

    “Passing that road today was an eye-opener for us that there are so many areas that need to be tackled”, Barr. Wike noted.

    He emphasised that the massive infrastructure drive in the Area Councils and satellite communities is a core tenet of the current administration, designed to bring relief to the rural communities.

    “The whole essence of what we are doing is to let the world know that this administration means well, not only for the city, but also for the satellite communities. “It has never happened in the history of Abuja since the FCT was created that the government is giving such attention to rural communities. This is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about”, he said.

    Wike also assured residents that while no government can solve all problems, the current administration is committed to addressing the most critical infrastructure deficits identified.

  • Wike vs. Yerima: The lessons

    Wike vs. Yerima: The lessons

    By Sunny Ikhioya

    Viewing the scenes of the encounter between Nyesom Wike and the young military officer on national television and various social media platforms last week, one was left with no other optics of how low our values have sunken. A young military officer standing up to a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refusing to yield ground. What a country! At the height of persistent attacks from some elements of Lagos State government after he left the seat of governor of the state, Babatunde Fashola put up a statement that he will not go to the gutter to wrestle with haters.

    The minister of the federal capital territory had everything to lose in that confrontation, especially as he had the privilege of direct access to the army bosses. That singular lack of discretion in this instance placed him in bad light in the public sphere, one whom a young military officer has put in his place.

    Let it be made clear here that the impact of Wike in the federal capital territory these past two years cannot be disputed. A brother of mine, who resides in Abuja has this to say about the incident: “This Wike vs. Naval officer matter is now looking like APC/opposition parties issue. The usual opposition has jumped in using every opportunity to condemn APC while supporters are defending Wike in spite of the obvious blunder. I have lived in Abuja for almost 20 years, and this is the first time of my feeling any positive effect of government presence in the city. We now see the government construction of roads linking up many areas in the city. Street lights are now working in many areas. Many residents of Abuja are commending his development efforts in the city. But on this occasion, he goofed. A simple phone call should have avoided the embarrassing situation…

    “He didn’t have to leave his office or send his staff to confront the military men. He had the phone numbers of CDS and head of navy. He eventually made the call after the embarrassing incident.

    “The land was allocated to the former chief of naval staff. He cannot go into a plot that was not allocated to him. I am surprised that the man is being blamed as if he is grabbing other people’s land.”

    With the benefit of hindsight, had the principal parties involved in this dispute used discretion to engage in proper communication with each other, things would not have degenerated to this extent. I am not talking about the young officer. He was acting on orders from his boss. I am talking about the boss who sent him on that errand. If he was not privileged to be the boss of an arm of the military, would he have taken recourse to such a measure as a solution?

    There lies our dilemma as a country. The rule of law is being gradually eroded in different facets of government, and people are resorting to impunity. I believe it is a carryover from our long years of governance under military regimes that had little patience for the rule of law procedures. Everyone wants to impose his will on the other as long as it is to his advantage. That is why we cannot agree with one voice on the purpose of the killings going on in the country. It is a result of impunity and the determination of certain groups to impose their will on others. You need to travel through the length and breadth of this country and see what citizens are going through the hands of those paid to protect them, naked oppression and intimidation, the types that were not even witnessed during colonial times.

    One of my bosses once told me that, if you are not in government, don’t have money and don’t have anyone in any of the categories above, you are a finished man in this country.

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    As it is, the haters of Wike will be happy with this development. He has many of them, and he has stepped on many toes, and he brags about it. The president knows this and is also aware that the assignment he gave to Wike will come with a lot of flaks. With this blight, he has just given the enemies some respite. The busybodies have stepped in and all giving their opinions, all according to their individual sentiments on how they see and relate with Wike.

    Wike and his team must learn from this; no human is infallible. They must not carry themselves as gods before whom mere humans must subjugate themselves. Too often, we have seen government officials carry out destructions of people’s properties without recourse to the full course of law. The destructions are usually arbitrarily done and without human compassion. It is becoming common with state governments and in the federal capital territory. Let people see that even though they are being punished, it is being done justifiably. We have seen videos of one day notices and the next is destruction. In Lagos, it is becoming a common occurrence all over the place with claims of building violations.

    You may want to ask the state government what their officials were doing when whole estates are being built and developed to modern standards without government approvals. The rate of impunity from government officials are becoming too rampant, and each time, they come with law enforcement agents to harass innocent citizens without due process. We are 26 years into our new democratic experience; it is a record already, by the country’s standards. The military have collectively sworn to subordinate their powers to civil rule. We should all be seen to be practising that indeed. All citizens of this country are equal under the law and must be subjected to the same treatment of due processes of the law. Those in government should also exercise their rights as far as the law permits and not be unnecessarily overbearing. If we all choose to respect the integrity of the law, at all times, situations such as the Wike and the young officer standoff will be rare in our land.

    •Ikhioya sent this piece from Lagos. 

  • Wike again

    Wike again

    If you watched the skits, cartoons and the outpouring of vituperations on Minister Nyesom Wike, you would think he committed treason, or something near murder.

     A lawyer with an Obidient imprint threw the word alcohol and another writer spewed out words like drunken and inebriated as though they tossed a breathalyzer at the man and he tested positive to alcohol intake.

    In Journalism and historical scholarship, the mantra is, “facts are sacred and opinions are free.”

    These days peddlers of lies in the pretension of intellectual pursuit feel free to befoul the facts.

     If Wike takes either writer to court, I would predict financial windfall for Wike, except that the outlets would go bankrupt trying to pay.

    A general once known in public as Buratai, who left his command in an ethical cloud has mistaken a land dispute with national security.

    Two ministers, one Matawalle, who was a disaster as governor and another one Badaru also a near disaster as chief executive of his state have turned a matter between a cabinet colleague and sullen naval lieutenant into a north-south matter, a semiotic confusion.

    As our Weekend Editor Festus Eriye reminded us last week, the umbrage against Wike had little to do with what Wike did.

     It was about what name they gave the masquerade before it came out to dance. Whether he performed well or not, the fact that they had given the dancer the name of a pariah, he could never have risen before the insult in their eyes.

     If they were not miffed because he turned the PDP on its head, they were not happy he upstaged a region with the sacrilege of being appointed the federal capital territory minister.

     Some, especially Obidients, flay him for “handing over Rivers State” to Tinubu in the 2023 polls. Recently, his sin was that he had the temerity to fight with Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara.

     In the words of Prophet Isaiah, it was “here a little, there a little.” His wrongs are the drips that became a poisoned pool.

    So much sentiment has beclouded many who should reason because of prejudice. It is often harrowing to read otherwise enlightened people chop logic with runaway drivels. It reminds one of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy’s assertion to “educate the educated.” The saying, “Jack was sent to school to learn to be a fool,” comes out in bold relief.

    So, should Wike have called the fellow a fool? Of course not. But was that the crux of the matter? Of course not.

     Wike’s temperament was that of an elder provoked. We forget that there was an antecedent to the incident.

    Members of staff  of the FCT had visited the site, as the director in the ministry reported. They asked if they had papers and it was obvious they did not have the requisite papers for residential homes. This same sainted Lieutenant Yerima and his fellows had threatened to open fire on the officials for daring to question their roles.

    That was when the minister came in. Could he have settled the matter without going there? Yes. Was he wrong to do that? Of course not. Since I first knew anything about works and infrastructure, ministers, governors and commissioners have always visited sites. Why is this different? Is it because it was Wike? Tactile evidence often helps the executive hands-on knowledge of his stewardship.

    When, a few years ago, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had a similar spat with a police officer, news media and online interlocutors who deride Wike today also described Sanwo-Olu with words akin to a wimp. I call this the Ketekete syndrome, apologies to Ebenezer Obey’s song about how hard it is to please humans.

    In the cultural sense, we can say the fellow ought to show some respect to an older man. He did not. There is a wiser way to say, “I cannot let you in without even infuriating an elder.” Rather, you disarm him. He acted as the minister’s mate. The uniform is no excuse to disrespect an elder.

    A few issues have been repeated. One, in these days when we have not enough men in uniform, what is a military man doing guarding a road buffer? The effusions of Buratai, Irabor and others forget that the society made the army. The army did not make the society. We are in a democracy, not a military autocracy.

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    Our love for impunity draws from two sources, our monarchical past and military rule. The soldiers collapsed these two traits into the persona of a bully, and they tyranised over us for most of our history. What Wike did was to assert the constitution over the uniform. But because many have not cut themselves away from the military cloth, they still think under the spell of the army. No wonder some still call for coup just because they hate the man elected to be president. A few careless, malicious writers recently justified the rumoured coup attempt simply for that reason.

    We should not forget that Nigeria is a state with an army, and not an army with a state. The soldier was made by law and so cannot be a law unto himself. There is no such constitutional order as we the army. It is we the people.

    Then governor of example Babatunde Raji Fashola exemplified this when he arrested an Army colonel who was fined for violating BRT lane.

     This republic was born with a slew of soldiers at the top and they brought with them the tribunitian impulse of the barracks. If you can touch an elder’s hem, it does not put you at the helm.

    It is a war not in the battlefield but on the constitution, and the people ought to understand that it is mental slavery and it makes us look like buffoons to act as though we are in a soldier’s platoon.

    Another unanswered question is how many times will the story of land and generals permeate the news? Did anyone ask how a retired general had the resources to afford over two acres of land in Abuja? How did these men turn Abuja into a general’s paradise?

    Recently, a news report said 84 out of 1, 978 entry points into Nigeria are without security operatives. Some of such needed operatives are land supervisors. It is not today big men privatise our armed forces. Some of them cook, take their children to school and even carry their wives’ handbags.

    The pity of the Wike-Yerima standoff is that the concept of democracy is still gasping for popular oxygen.

  • The reality evinced by Wike/Yerima standoff

    The reality evinced by Wike/Yerima standoff

    Sir: As some Nigerians laud the cool, level-headed and defiant stance of the naval officer that confronted Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, we must remember the havoc military arrogance, violence, brutality, hedonism and disdain for the civilian population had wrought on Nigeria.

    As we suffer and lament the hell fire that our beloved country has become – a legacy of military rule – we cannot help but long for the past.

    It is the past, before military involvement in Nigeria politics, when the leaders of the First Republic held sway over a halcyon, orderly, functional and liveable country. It was when unarmed policemen maintained law and order, with just batons; Nigerians were frightened and nauseated by the sight of blood; people, in their contentment, had moral values and realistic expectations; corrupt politicians misappropriated only 5 to 10 per cent of government funds; some Nigerian universities ranked among the best in the world; etc.

    When, on January 15, 1966, Chukwuma Nzeogwu and his band of idealistic murderers went, in their murderous idealism, murdering the innocent, they complicated the political problems of the country and sent her into a political tailspin. Nigeria has since not recovered.

    The brutality and bloodletting of the coup and its consequences glamorized violence and brutalized the national psyche. The lop-sidedness in the killings of the coup spurred the reprisal coup of July 29, 1966 and the mass-murder of the Igbo in northern Nigeria, and subsequently, the civil war.

    The years of military rule were disastrous for Nigeria. Presently, one of the most daunting problems of Nigeria remains how to roll back the festering, pervading legacies of military rule: moral and ethical collapse of the society; culture of violence and impunity; warped value system and its unbridled corruption and reckless thievery of public funds; disdain for the rule of law; etc.

    Awwal Gambo is building a house in an area of Abuja zoned for open space and parks. In addition, he has no proof of ownership to the land and no approval to build. It is not unusual for state/city government to stop construction on a property due to lack of approval and other necessary documentations. What then is special about the attempt to suspend construction in this particular case? It is special because the individual, Gambo, who is disregarding the zoning ordinance of the city of Abuja and building without approval is a high ranking military officer?

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    He is the former Chief of Naval Staff, a Vice Admiral. During, and beyond, military rule, the military demonstrated to us that they are above the law. Consequently, many Nigerians think that there is nothing wrong with the admiral’s lawlessness and the disdainful and arrogant behaviour of Lt. Yerima toward a serving minister of the federal government. 

    Nyesom Wike is impulsive and tactless. Although his approach to the matter was imprudent, the bottom-line is that he was enforcing the law. Although the admiral did not show up at the site for a confrontation, he deployed a prepossessing, youthful and handsome naval officer, whose calm and unruffled demeanour in the face of Wike’s coarse and acidic parlance readily endeared him to most Nigerians. But the bottom line is that he is breaking the law: city zoning ordinance and building codes.

    The contention, therefore, was between the rule of law and lawlessness; adherence to urban planning standards and disregard for it; uniformity in the enforcement of rules or special treatment for some khaki-clad big men, etc.

    Secondly, in a democracy – I still believe that Nigeria is a democracy – the military is subject to the civilian authority. The Wike/Yerima drama and the prevailing sentiments among Nigerians, as made evident in the expressed opinions of many Nigerians evinced an unvarnished reality: Nigeria is a wobbly democracy. She is yet to attain one of the essential milestones of democracy: the subordination of the military to civilian authority.   

    •Tochukwu Ezukanma,Lagos.