Retired Nigerian Military Officers Call on President Tinubu to Sack or Redeploy FCT Minister Wike Over Naval Officer Confrontation

Retired members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have urged President Bola Tinubu to either sack or redeploy the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following his recent confrontation with a naval officer in Abuja.

The retired officers expressed concern over the incident, describing it as a threat to military discipline and civil-military relations. They argued that Wike’s face-off with the officer undermined the authority of uniformed personnel and could set a dangerous precedent for interactions between government officials and security forces.

“This is about preserving respect for our armed forces. The FCT Minister’s actions were unbecoming of a senior government official,” a statement from the retired officers read.

The incident, which has generated significant public attention, reportedly occurred when Wike attempted to access a restricted area in Abuja but was blocked by the naval officer, leading to a tense exchange. Video and reports of the encounter quickly circulated online, fueling national debate on authority, accountability, and governance in the FCT.

Observers note that the call from retired officers adds pressure on the Tinubu administration to clarify the chain of command and enforce respect for both elected officials and security personnel.