131
By Oscar Okhifo
Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has waded into the heated confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lt. Ahmed Yerima, over a disputed plot of land in Abuja, describing the officer’s behaviour as unprofessional, insubordinate, and a violation of military ethics.
The altercation, which occurred on Tuesday in the Gaduwa District of the FCT, saw Lt. Yerima, who reportedly acted on the instruction of a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Auwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), denied the minister and officials of the FCT Administration (FCTA) access to the land.
The encounter quickly escalated into a heated argument between both parties.
Reacting to the incident in a Facebook video on Wednesday, Asari Dokubo said the officer should be reprimanded and court-martialled, stressing that his actions were “a serious affront to constituted authority.”
“I’m not taking sides with Wike; I’m taking sides with the law, the rule, and the convention,” Asari stated.
“What happened yesterday, in any sane society, that person would be reprimanded and detained.
“The confrontation with the Minister of the FCT is uncalled for. The minister is the governor of the FCT and constitutionally, the chief security officer of Abuja, outside the president.”
Asari added that his personal differences with Wike would not stop him from defending what he believes is right.
“I might not like Wike, our relationship has had its ups and downs, but in any sane society, that fellow ought to have been court-martialled. It can’t happen anywhere outside Nigeria,” he said.
The ex-militant further emphasized that no one, including members of the armed forces, is above the law.
“There is law in Abuja, and nobody has the right to go and develop a piece of property without following laid-down rules.
“A military man is subject to the constitution; he is not above it,” he declared.
Asari also defended Wike’s decision to personally visit the disputed site, noting that “in an executive system of government, the buck stops at the table of the executive officer.”
He concluded that the officer’s action was an unacceptable display of insubordination.
“Nobody can accept that sort of affront from somebody who, by the law, ought to see you as his superior,” Asari said.