Wike Denies Calling Naval Officer a ‘Fool,’ Claims His Words Were Misinterpreted Amid Buratai’s Call for Action
Wike Denies Calling Naval Officer a ‘Fool,’ Claims His Words Were Misinterpreted Amid Buratai’s Call for Action
Wike Denies Calling Naval Officer a ‘Fool,’ Claims His Words Were Misinterpreted Amid Buratai’s Call for Action
The recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a uniformed naval officer in Gaduwa, Abuja, has sparked widespread reactions, with Wike denying that he called the officer a “fool” while former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), has called for urgent corrective action.
Wike clarified that his words were misinterpreted by the media. He stressed that the officer was following what he described as an “illegal order,” and that his remarks were aimed at the situation, not at the individual personally.
“I did not insult any officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces. My words were misrepresented. I was addressing the unlawful instructions being carried out,” Wike said. He reiterated his commitment to upholding due process in all land matters within the FCT while maintaining respect for the military and other security agencies.
The dispute drew national attention after a video of the altercation circulated online, showing the minister confronting the officer over the alleged land-grabbing incident, with claims that Wike had verbally berated the officer, including reportedly calling him a “fool” and mocking his age.
Reacting to the viral footage, Buratai described Wike’s conduct as “not just misconduct, but a threat to national security and institutional discipline.” In a strongly worded statement, the retired general said the verbal humiliation of a serving officer in uniform undermines morale, erodes respect for the chain of command, and could destabilize civil-military relations if left unchecked.
Buratai urged Wike to tender an immediate and public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the officer involved, and the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria, emphasizing that the integrity of the military must be safeguarded.
ALSO READ: Tanzanian President Sends 22 Young TikTok Users to Jail Over “Voice Pranks”
The events have ignited a national debate on civil-military relations, the limits of ministerial authority, and the need for respect and adherence to due process in Nigeria’s security and governance systems.
Wike Denies Calling Naval Officer a ‘Fool,’ Claims His Words Were Misinterpreted Amid Buratai’s Call for Action
