Wike-Military Clash: Naval Officer Acted Within His Rights — Sam Amadi

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi, has defended the conduct of the naval officer involved in the recent confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over land access in Abuja.

In an interview on Arise Television monitored by Patriotic Insights News on Wednesday, Dr. Amadi stated that the officer acted within the bounds of standard military procedure and that the FCT Minister overstepped his authority in the incident.

“The statement by the Defence Minister that officers on lawful assignments require the protection of the state is correct. However, it was unnecessary for the FCT Minister to personally go there with aides to confront the officers,” Amadi said.

He added, “Once the issue had been addressed, the proper channel would have been to report back to the Inspector-General of Police, as law enforcement is the responsibility of the police. The officer was authorised to protect the location, and the minister does not have the authority to override military instructions.”

The clash occurred on Tuesday when the FCT Minister and officials of the FCT Administration reportedly sought access to a piece of land guarded by military personnel. The incident has sparked widespread debate about the scope of ministerial powers versus military authority in the nation’s capital.

Amadi also weighed in on broader governance issues, emphasizing the importance of adherence to established procedures and respect for institutional roles.