The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has criticised his colleague, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Nyesom Wike for bringing himself so low to argue with a naval officer, Lieutenant A. Yerima over a disputed land in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Matawallle said the action of Wike constitutes total disrespect to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, and the military. The issue should have been better handled in a more civil way, the minister said, saying Wike stooped too low by altercating with the naval officer, who was on a lawful duty.
The magazine had earlier reported a viral video where the minister and the naval officer clashed after the minister, accompanied by some FCT officials, DSS, Police and Civil Defence tried to force their way into the disputed piece of land, alleged owned by a Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.
Not a few Nigerians including the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar stood by the officer who they said comported himself with dignity and firmness required of a soldier.
The Defence Headquarter also released an encrypted message believed to be in support of Yerima.
Reacting, Matawalle who spoke In an interview with DCL Hausa, released on its YouTube channel said Wike decided to confront the officer despite the fact that the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS and Chief of Naval Staff, CNS had already assured him that the matter will be investigated. The minster’s action, he said constitutes disrespect for the military and President Tinubu.
Matawalle also commended the officer, who he said conducted himself well despite Wike’s provocation, saying he would not be punished for carrying out his duty.
Matawalle: “What happened between Minister Wike and the officer is unfortunate. When he got there, the officer explained that he was simply obeying orders given to him. Wike should not have exchanged words with the officer; he ought to have addressed his concerns through the officer’s superiors.
“He (Wike) is our colleague, and Wike could have reached out to us to resolve whatever issue. The officer’s action was lawful because he was trained to be disciplined, loyal, and obedient to orders. Therefore, the young officer only carried out his duty worthy of commendation
“He did not commit any offence under military regulations; he merely obeyed a lawful order and followed due process. If you observe carefully, he spoke respectfully and conducted himself properly.
“There is, therefore, no offence under military law for which he should be charged. Wike should not have engaged him in an altercation, especially out of respect for the uniform he was wearing. Anyone who disrespects a soldier indirectly disrespects the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. There is, therefore, no basis for any punishment against the officer.
“This is not about supporting the military to act disrespectfully toward civilians. 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,” he explained.
“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
“Wike also contacted the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that an investigation would be conducted. Yet again, he did not wait. It was supposed to be a one-day inquiry, but he chose to go there and confront them.
“Now that the Chief of Naval Staff has visited the area—since it involves a land dispute—the matter will be investigated to know who owns the lawful documents,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo has called for the arrest and court martial of Lt Yerima, saying his behavior was tantamount to disrespect for constituted authority in a democracy, which should not be allowed. The military, he said, are no longer in power, saying Yerima and the armed forces must accept this reality.
