Wike Disrespected the Uniform, Undermined President – Defence Minister

Wike Disrespected the Uniform, Undermined President – Defence Minister

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has issued a stern rebuke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, stating that his public confrontation with a naval officer amounted to disrespect for the military uniform and an indirect affront to President Bola Tinubu.

The criticism follows a widely circulated video showing Wike in a heated argument with Lieutenant A. Yerima, a naval officer stationed at a disputed property in Abuja’s Gaduwa District.

The officer was acting on the orders of a former Chief of Naval Staff.

In a Wednesday interview, Matawalle defended Lieutenant Yerima as a disciplined officer who was merely following lawful commands.

He asserted that the officer “did not commit any offence under military regulations” and conducted himself respectfully throughout the encounter.

The Defence Minister emphasized that Wike’s decision to publicly confront the officer was a significant misstep.

“Anyone who disrespects a soldier indirectly disrespects the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” Matawalle stated, framing the incident as a challenge to presidential authority.

Matawalle revealed that Wike had been advised by both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff to await an official investigation into the land dispute.

However, the FCT Minister proceeded to the site before the inquiry could be completed.

“As a leader, he ought to have exercised patience,” Matawalle said, confirming that a formal investigation into the land ownership is now underway. He concluded that there is no basis for punishing the naval officer, whose actions he deemed commendable and in line with military discipline.