Unperturbed by what he sees as poorly choreographed insinuations in the public space over the disputed Abuja land issue, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, denied being at daggers-drawn with the Nigerian Military.
Trashing such claims as being out of order given his record of having supported the Armed Forces at all times, the Minister said he only has an axe to grind with anyone who does not obey set down regulations and the laws
Addressing journalists on the recent confrontation between FCT Administration officials and some military personnel, Wike said it is important for all Nigerians to always obey the laws as the government will not condone any attempt to violate land use regulations or obstruct government officials from performing their lawful duties.
The Minister, while explaining that his actions are strictly guided by law, not sentiment or emotion, said, “You are told to obey legal orders, not orders that are illegal. So, if because you are a security aide, you think your superior ordered you to shoot at someone, you think you will not be charged for murder, because your superior gave you the order?
“People have problems. We have tried to resolve them, but don’t use intimidation, don’t try to weaken government. You cannot weaken government. Because when we allow this now, others will follow suit. And then they will say, ‘When it happened to this and that, what did you do?’
“So, gentlemen, I have respect for the Military. I will continue to respect them. So, anybody trying to bring collision there, to say, ‘Oh, he is having a problem with the military,’ it is not correct. I don’t have a problem with the military and I will not have a problem.”
Further putting issues in perspective, the FCT Minister volunteered, “If we are having a problem with the military, I know where to run to. If I don’t go to the Chief of Defence Staff, I will go to the Chief of Army Staff, or the Chief of Naval Staff, or Air Force, or the Chief of Defence Intelligence, I will go to the President.
“But in this case, it has to do with a private individual. So how many people would I run to? If you have a problem with us, should I run to the President? Who does that? So, all I will be telling the President every day, ‘This individual is having a problem with us, this individual is having a problem.’ So I don’t have a problem with the military”.
Also noting that the matter at stake is being blown out of proportion by those bent on portraying him as being at loggerheads with the military, the former Rivers State governor said his intervention came following reports of assault on top officials of the FCTA who were carrying out their lawful official duties.
According to him, under his watch as a Minister, there is no way to stand by and watch those carrying out their legal duties being intimidated and attacked by anyone no matter their so-called status in society.
Citing a case that involved the Police in the recent past, Wike said after personally visiting the site where buildings were being constructed under the power line, he engaged the Inspector-General of Police who ensured the stoppage of the construction work in line with government approval.
For him, the FCT Administration has the responsibility to protect the integrity of Abuja’s Master Plan and ensure all developments conform with approved land use provisions, warning that anyone who hitherto obtained land for agricultural purposes but later converted such to residential estates or commercial ventures without approval would be made to face the law.
He warned that there would always be consequences for law breakers, adding, “Government cannot function in a lawless society. If we allow one person to violate the rules because of who he is, others will follow. That is how impunity begins. We must learn to obey the law irrespective of who is involved.”
The Minster, who referenced past engagement between the FCTA and the Military hierarchy on similar matters involving land ownership disputes, said such interactions had always been handled with mutual respect and understanding.
He said notwithstanding the seeming misconceptions and emotions currently running high in some quarters over the viral video clip, “As long as I remain FCT Minister, the law will take its course. Abuja must reflect the image of Nigeria, disciplined, planned, and lawful. “
