Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has criticised former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), accusing him of misrepresenting the altercation between the Minister and naval personnel led by Lt. A.M. Yerima during a land-related incident in Abuja on Tuesday.

Addressing journalists at his Life Camp residence in Abuja, Wike dismissed Buratai’s remarks—which suggested that the Minister’s conduct constituted a threat to national security and undermined President Bola Tinubu’s authority—as unfounded and misleading. He also rejected Buratai’s call for him to apologise to Lt. Yerima.

“Buratai Cannot Teach Me Decency” — Wike

Wike accused the former Army chief of lacking the moral authority to lecture him on decency or conduct.

“I read what one former Chief of Army Staff wrote. He cannot tell me about decency; he can’t teach me. This is the same man who allegedly directed his GOC to rig my 2019 election, and he failed,” Wike said.

He further claimed that Buratai once acted as an agent for a presidential aspirant during the APC primaries, questioning his credibility.

Minister Accuses Naval Officer of Enforcing an Illegal Order

Wike also faulted Lt. Yerima for his role in the confrontation, which occurred at a parcel of land in Gaduwa District. The land, said to have been linked to former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, was declared illegal by the FCT Administration.

The Minister argued that the officer acted improperly by enforcing an “illegal order.”

“When people say ‘order,’ must you carry out an illegal order? Even if the command is lawful, the job you were doing there was illegal,” Wike stated.

“I Represent the President”

Wike insisted that, as a Minister representing President Tinubu, the naval officer should have exercised restraint and respect.

“Yes, you are a young commissioned officer, but I am a Minister representing Mr. President. That alone should give you decorum. Instead, you challenged the Minister. I am a human being; I have emotions,” he said.

He added that he had visited the site in his official capacity after FCTA officials were allegedly arrested.

Political Opponents Will Continue to Lose Sleep — Wike

Wike also used the opportunity to reiterate his unwavering support for President Tinubu, adding that he has no regrets about his political alliances.

“I will continue to make my political opponents have sleepless nights, whether in PDP, APC, or ADC. I stand on the side of the law, and no amount of ethnic coloration will change that,” he said.

Call for Respect for Rule of Law

Wike concluded by urging all individuals, regardless of their status, to respect legal processes and uphold the rule of law.