In defence of Wike, FCT Minister, by Kola Amzat

On page 2 of the edition of Saturday, November 15, of The Nation Newspapers is the graphic details of what transpired on the site of the above disputed land.

According to the Director of the FCTA, Department of Development Control, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima, the staff of the department on 17th October, while on routine monitoring, noticed an on-going development within the corridor of Southern Parkway and on enquiry of the necessary approval status and relevant documents, they were met with stiff resistance, as well as threat to kill by men of Nigerian Navy.

The staff on duty subsequently alerted him of the development on 18th October. According to him, he contacted a course mate of his, to intervene by appealing to the naval officers to attend to the request of FCTA, Department of Control.

Tpl Galadima went further that the navy men only presented LETTER OF INTENT issued in 2007 by the Department of Parks and Recreation and later confirmed that relevant approval documents are with the Lawyers and Engineers.  

The Lawyer went further that the process of obtaining approval is on-going, and meanwhile, the development has already commenced on the disputed land, a development that contravenes FCT Act of 1976 and the Urban and Regional Law of 1992.

Consequent upon this brazen disregard for the rule of law, Galadima confirmed that he sent a distress call to the FCT Minister, who indeed mandated them to enforce the necessary law.

And, on Tuesday when they were prepared to enforce the Minister’s directive, they were confronted with impending danger of fully armed MEN who had been positioned to shoot at sight, a development that necessitated the appearance of the Minister at the location, who indeed had to be involved in altercation with Lt. Yerima detailed to be watching over the site. .

So, where did the Minister, who was representing the President, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, Federal Republic Nigeria, went wrong while carrying out his legitimate duty, in his official capacity as Minister?  

Agreed that in annoyance, he uttered one or two dirty words against Officer Yerima, does that CHANGED THE POSITION OF LAW as to the illegal claim of former Naval Chief, Awwal Zubairu Gambo of the land, and his subsequent positioning of Yerima & his team to be watching over the land?

Can anyone build something on nothing?

This is the unnecessary distraction the concerned men of the military were attempting to foist on Nigerians!

And, Nigerians need to commend and applaud the president for his tact, wisdom and discerning mind, as well as his political sagacity in managing the crisis which could have snowball into another avoidable national crisis.

In any case, Nigerians do not expect less from a president who is widely acknowledged to always operate on a different realm, as well as imbued with knack to always move ahead of challenges.   

Nonetheless, we need to put the record straight.   

Almighty God created all of us in diverse forms and with diverse talents.

This writer doesn’t believe military men are superior to civilians. But, that’s the myth the military men have erroneously built in their mentality.

All of us, Nigerians, contribute in different dimensions to the up-liftment of Nigeria nation-economy, politics, security, infrastructures, education, medical, ICT, Sports & Entertainment.

Let no group of people harbor an archaic and emperor-like mentality that they’re superior to others. Let the men of military stop forthwith their age-long attitude of always lording themselves over other Nigerians.   

They’ve chosen their paths to be military officers and be defending the country’s territorial integrity. Nigerians appreciate that.

But, there should be decorum, as well as mutual respect for other great and eminent Nigerians who have chosen other paths, and, even, constantly launching Nigeria unto GLOBAL STARDOM & PEDESTAL.

For emphasis, some eminent Nigerian Lawyers wrote and packaged the 1999 Constitution as amended, the book of life from which all authority and power guiding Nigeria and Nigerian people in all facets and endeavors, including members of the Armed Forces, flow. 

The FCT Abuja and even Lagos were planned and constructed by a group of eminent Nigerian Architects, and, so, other state capital locations across the country.  

The illustrious Nigerian and Iconic Banker, Jim Ovia, the founder of Zenith Bank, Tony Elumelu, the charismatic Banker that turned the tide in UBA and so many banking chieftains I couldn’t mention for want of space, have been holding sway in the banking sector over decades, contributing significantly to Nigeria economy, as well as hoisting the flag of the country lofty high at the global sphere on continual basis.

Otunba Mike Adenuga (Jrn) indomitable owner of GLO, a Nigerian Communication giant, Pascal Dozie, the indefatigable driver of MTN in Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, the CEO of Airtel and other eminent Nigerians have all changed the story of communication in Nigerian, propelling the country to the global sphere.

In the Real Estate business are giants like Sir Clement Olu Okeowo, Oba Adetola Emmanuel, Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi, and many others that are moving with the speed of light, constructing skyscrapers that could rival and compete with the best across the world.

Of course, Nigerian medical doctors, architects and other professionals are amongst the best in the world, with their services continually attracting huge patronage around the world.

And, what do we say concerning Nigeria Ivory Tower with their continual churning out of cerebral Vice Chancellors that have for decades, been the delight of all, contributing to educational development and advancement of the country!

Not, to forget Nigerian patriotic, loyal and very resourceful sports men and women in football, athletics, basketball, table tennis, boxing!

The likes of Thompson Usiyen, Segun Odegbami, Christian Chukwu, Muda Lawal, Emmanuel Okala, Felix Owolabi, Rasheed Yekini, Nduka Odizor, Mary Onyali, Yusuf Alli, Austin Okocha, Kanu Nwakwo, Victor Oshimen, all who have placed Nigerian nation at the global pedestal.

It’s also instructive to mention the impressive and talented Nigerians that have been holding sway for 5 or 6 decades in the entertainment industry, and have collectively launched Nigeria to global stardom–Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo, Aruna Ishola, King Ayinde Wasiu Marshal, Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy.  

How do we forget the impressive and unforgettable contributions of political titans in the country political evolutions—Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, and lately, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Godswill Akpabio, Segun Osoba, Raji Fashola, Femi Gbajabiamila, Goodluck Jonathan, Musa Yar’Adua, Tony Anenih, Bisi Akande etc.

It’s an auspicious time the military should come off their belief that the Nigerian nation belongs to them, and start appreciating the fact all Nigerians are stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

There were a couple of uninformed comments that emanated from some top military brass making deliberate attempts to indict FCT Minister on this issue, but the most disappointing and unfortunate was the one that emanated from the camp of former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, who was of the opinion that Minister Wike outburst on Lt Yerima transcends mere misconduct; and that, it represents a palpable threat to national security and institutional integrity. He went further: A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer in uniform is an act of profound indiscipline that strikes at the core of our nation’s command and control structure. According to him, it deliberately undermines the chain of command, disrespects the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and grievously wounds the morale of every individual who serves under the Nigerian flag.

Without a shadow of doubt, it’s evident that Buratai was on a voyage of revenge for what might have transpired between him in the past and Minister Wike and have long been waiting for an opportune time to strike.

But, this shot he fired and the bullet went astray. The retired military general failed to establish a correlation between Minister Wike’s outburst on Navy officer detailed to protect the plot of land illegally acquired and national security.

And, if the Buratai must educate Nigeria, how had Wike disrespected the authority of President, Commander–in-Chief of Armed Forces?

Contrary to his claim, it was Lt. Yerima that disrespected the authority of Commander-in-Chief by his blunt refusal to promptly comply with the directive of a Minister of the Federal Republic, who represented President Tinubu in the disputed land.

Finally, this Piece would not be completed without clearly pointing out to the Minister of Defence, as well as Minister of (State) for Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, and Hon Bello Matawalle respectively that the duo didn’t do well, as they might have succeeded in opening the President Tinubu and his government to unfair and undue criticisms and attacks.

Their comments on Wike on the disputed land was reckless, self-serving, untoward and reek of envy and jealousy, as well as negating the much cherished esprit-de-corps in such the federal cabinet.

If they have a problem with Wike, they ought not to have capitalized on that ugly incident to vent their venom. It is not proper.

Presidency is ONE and so, must it be!

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.