* Blames political opponents for controversy over land dispute
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says he respects the military, but stresses that institution must operate within the law of the land.
His comments follow a recent confrontation with a naval officer, Lt. Ahmed Yerima, who acting on instructions from retired Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Gambo, prevented Wike from inspecting a disputed land in Gaduwa District of Abuja.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, Wike explained that there were no documents to prove the military owned the land, adding that impunity and lawlessness would not be tolerated among government officials.
He commended the nation’s leaders who usually contact him to resolve the issues affecting them in the FCT, emphasizing that due process is paramount.
The Minister attributed the controversy surrounding the land to those unhappy with his style of handling matters, particularly his political enemies.
He reaffirmed his commitment to developing the FCT in line with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate.
Wike said: “No country, no matter how hard you work, you allow impurity, you allow lawlessness to continue to prevail, that country will never grow. Even amongst government officials, not to talk about private individuals. I have read comments.
“Yes, I’ve wounded people politically, I have no regret about it. And I’m going to wound them where necessary. Yes, people are not happy over it.
“So when things happen like this, you see all manner of things people will say.
“So many people have had problems, General, Olusegun Obasanjo, former head of state, former president, will call me on the phone… ‘Minister, look o! There’s this problem of land’ and we will solve the problem.
“That is former head of state. Former elected president, he had the courtesy of calling the minister to say look, I have this problem – see how you can look into it.
“Retired General, TY Danjuma will call you — look at this and this. They are all retired generals, these are people with discipline.
“They didn’t bother because they were former chief of army staff, former presidents. They never sent soldiers. They never sent anybody to go and attack anybody. I have respect for the Military but no lawlessness”, he said.
