On November 11, 2025, at a construction site in the Gaduwa District of Abuja, an unexpected face-off took centre stage between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and A.M. Yerima, a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy assigned to secure a parcel of land. The incident, which was captured on video and quickly circulated across social media, raised serious questions about the chain of command, the role of the military in civilian matters, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s administrative landscape.
Yerima was reportedly part of a naval security team deployed to guard a plot of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff. When Wike and his team arrived with security operatives and FCT officials to enforce a demolition or access order, the naval officer blocked the minister’s entry, claiming he was acting on superior orders. Eyewitnesses say Wike demanded that Yerima produce official authorization for his presence, stating, “You cannot continue to work illegally.” Yerima calmly replied, “Sir, I am a commissioned officer. I have integrity. I am not a fool, sir.” The verbal exchange intensified, with Wike calling Yerima “a very big fool.” Despite the tension, Yerima stood his ground, maintaining professionalism throughout the altercation.
The confrontation soon sparked nationwide debate. Many Nigerians hailed Yerima for his composure and courage in standing up to political authority. Social media users described him as a symbol of integrity within the military, praising him for showing restraint and discipline even under verbal provocation. Others, however, criticized his refusal to allow the minister access, calling it a breach of civil authority and a challenge to constitutional order.
From a legal standpoint, the incident touches on fundamental issues of jurisdiction and authority. Under the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the FCT Minister exercises full control over land matters in Abuja. A military officer’s deployment to secure private or disputed land raises questions about the legality of such assignments. Lawyers and civil rights advocates argue that no military order can supersede the authority of a serving minister acting under the law. Others, however, insist that Yerima was simply following the chain of command, a core tenet of military discipline.
The Ministry of Defence later issued a statement expressing support for Yerima, affirming that any officer performing legitimate duties would be fully protected. Legal experts, on the other hand, warned that such public endorsement could blur the lines between civilian governance and military obedience. The Defence Minister’s reaction suggested institutional solidarity, while human rights observers emphasized that the rule of law must remain supreme over uniformed hierarchy.
This clash between Wike and Yerima symbolizes deeper issues in Nigeria’s governance system; the struggle between authority and accountability, between legality and loyalty. It highlights how civil–military relations continue to test the country’s democratic structure. Whether Yerima acted rightly or not, his restraint and composure earned public admiration, while the incident itself underscored the need for clearer boundaries in civil and military roles.
The Gaduwa confrontation was not merely a personal quarrel; it became a mirror reflecting the ongoing negotiation between power, integrity, and the Nigerian Constitution. It showed how moments of confrontation can redefine how institutions perceive authority and how integrity, even under pressure, can spark a national conversation about respect, order, and the law.
