FCT Minister’s Visit to Military Land Ends in Confrontation, Embarrassment

By Joseph Bienbo

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, faced a humiliating situation on Tuesday when he attempted to access a disputed military piece of land in the Gaduwa area of Abuja. Armed military personnel blocked his entry, citing instructions from their superiors.

Wike, visibly angered, demanded to know who authorized the soldiers’ actions. The officer explained that the land’s documents were under verification, and they were acting on orders. The exchange escalated into a heated argument, with Wike calling the officer a “fool” and the officer calmly responding, “Sir, I am not a fool.”

Despite efforts to persuade the soldiers, they refused to grant Wike access, citing orders from above. The minister later condemned the incident, describing it as an act of impunity and intimidation by security operatives.

“I am not one of those that can be intimidated,” Wike said, expressing dismay that a military officer would obstruct a federal minister. The incident has sparked controversy, with neither the Nigerian military nor the FCT Administration issuing an official statement.