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| Nyesom Wike, Nigerian FCT Minister (right) and Lieutenant A M Yerima, a Young Nigerian Soldier (left) |
A small cadastral drama in Abuja turned out so huge that public attention in Nigeria drifted from Donald Trump and his alleged intention to invade the country to it. It was the confrontation between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and a soldier, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima. A land title that, by all indications, was not properly acquired had drawn the Minister’s attention. Upon arriving at the site, he met stiff resistance from the soldier, who refused to let him in, and the issue quickly escalated into an altercation.
Nyesom
Wike is a powerful political figure—feared by many—but the soldier refused to
bow to his authority. Yerima’s defiance against the formidable power and
influence of the federal minister won him praise from many Nigerians, who
hailed him as a courageous soldier worthy of honor, despite preventing a
Federal Minister from performing his lawful duties. This, however, was not
courage; it was rebellion.
Sadly,
the incident exposed the shallow understanding of governance and authority
among many Nigerians. While the soldier thought he was being brave, he was, in
truth, being foolhardy. If the law were to be applied strictly, Lieutenant
Yerima should face dismissal. Mr. Wike is an appointed and sworn Minister of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria, charged with the responsibility of
administering the Federal Capital Territory. His duties include, among other
things, land administration within the FCT. This is what the soldier—and many
Nigerians—fail to understand. Wike was performing his legitimate duty; by
obstructing him, Yerima was standing against the authority of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria itself.
We can
examine the soldier’s ignorance further in his claim that the land belonged to
a three-star General. By implication, he believed his superior officer was
above Wike and the law. But a three-star General is not above the law. In fact,
if the land was illegally acquired, his superior officer is culpable—perhaps
even guilty of treason. Yerima also reportedly said, “Imagine a policeman
talking to a soldier.” He seemed to believe that a police officer should not
address a soldier, even when the latter is in the wrong. This is a dangerous
mindset. The Nigeria Police Force is a constitutionally established institution
responsible for enforcing law and order—even when those breaking the law are
soldiers.
If the
land had truly been acquired in accordance with Nigeria’s cadastral laws, there
would have been no need for soldiers to guard it. The mere fact that the
Minister visited the site shows that a dispute already existed over its
ownership.
Many
Nigerians also questioned why the Minister “stooped so low” as to personally
visit the land in dispute. But that is part of his job—especially when it
concerns a controversial or disputed property. If he had stayed in his office,
the same Nigerians would have accused him of being disconnected from the
realities on the ground.
However,
the incident also highlighted Wike’s own flaw—his notorious stubbornness. The
political drama involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State has
already earned Wike many enemies. Many believe that since Fubara was elected by
the people, Wike had no moral right to attempt to unseat him. In this latest
clash, Wike’s opponent was a young, handsome soldier—a fact that, in the court
of public opinion, automatically drew sympathy to Yerima and fueled generous
praise for him across social media.
Apparently,
Lieutenant Yerima was trained for combat but not adequately educated in civil
relations—an essential aspect of maintaining a responsible and disciplined
military force. I have always worried about this, assuming that such mentality
was confined to the rank-and-file of the armed forces. Unfortunately, it
appears to be spreading upward through the hierarchy. This is a worrisome trend
that should concern both the military and the nation at large. A special course
should be introduced for all soldiers to help them understand that a civilized
army must refrain from bullying the very citizens it exists to protect. Failure
to do so only brings shame and disgrace upon the nation.
