Tension escalated on Friday after a coalition of retired military officers demanded the removal of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over his confrontation with a naval officer in Abuja.
The Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans — made up of retired generals and senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force — called on President Bola Tinubu to sack or redeploy the minister, warning that failure to act would force them to “mobilise and occupy” the FCT ministry.
The row stemmed from a dispute over the ownership of a plot of land reportedly being secured by armed personnel acting on the instructions of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.).
Wike had accused the ex-CNS of taking over the land illegally, while a viral video showed the minister confronting a naval officer identified as Lieutenant Yerima.
At a press briefing in Kaduna, the veterans described Wike’s conduct as demeaning to the Armed Forces and disrespectful to the Commander-in-Chief.
A trustee of the coalition, Col. Yusuf Ibrahim (retd.), said the minister’s comments in the widely circulated video were “embarrassing” and “beneath the office he occupies.”
Ibrahim argued that the naval officer acted on lawful instructions and that publicly insulting him amounted to ridiculing state authority. He insisted that Wike must apologise to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the officer involved, and President Tinubu.
The veterans, however, praised the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs for what they described as a professional handling of the dispute.
Another speaker, Dr. Awwal Abdullahi, who introduced himself as a Deputy Veteran Commander, accused Wike of a pattern of hostility toward military personnel.
He warned that the coalition was ready to take to the streets if Tinubu does not act.
According to Abdullahi, removing Wike would not negatively affect the administration, insisting that “more capable hands” could serve as FCT minister.
He said the minister’s attitude risks undermining the President’s political goodwill and the military’s loyalty.
He stressed that whoever occupies the FCT portfolio must demonstrate maturity, discipline, and respect for national institutions.
