Sowore Slams Wike–Military Clash Over Abuja Land, Calls It a Display of Misplaced Priorities

Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and some military personnel who stopped him from accessing a disputed piece of land in Abuja.

In a viral video that circulated on Tuesday, Wike was seen visibly angry at the officers, insisting that no one, regardless of their military status, was above the law. Reports indicate that the disputed land belongs to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.), and the incident has since sparked widespread debate online.

Reacting via his X handle on Tuesday, Sowore condemned the military’s involvement, describing it as an example of “misplaced priorities” and “entrenched self-interest” among public officials. He wrote that the military’s core responsibility is border protection, not guarding private property, especially for retired officers. According to him, the episode reflects a pattern of officials serving privileged interests rather than the public good, adding that Wike is “not an exception.”

Sowore also recalled a similar incident during Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor, where he allegedly obstructed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers from arresting a corrupt judge. He remarked, “What a country!”

The activist’s statement has drawn mixed reactions online. While some users agreed with his stance on political impunity, others argued that the matter required further investigation before judgment.

In a separate reaction, political commentator Zara Onyinye took to Facebook to criticise former Aviation Minister and PDP chieftain Osita Chidoka, who had earlier called on Wike to apologise to the military officer involved. Onyinye dismissed Chidoka’s statement as hypocritical, accusing him of twisting democratic principles for personal bias.

She argued that, in a democracy, civilian authority supersedes military power and that the FCT Minister, as the President’s direct appointee, holds legitimate authority over the capital territory. “Imagine if it were Soludo or a South-East governor a soldier disrespected — would Chidoka hold the same view?” she asked.

Onyinye further alleged that the retired naval officer has long used military connections to intimidate officials and residents in the area. “When did it become the military’s duty to secure land for a retired officer?” she queried, stressing that the armed forces should not interfere in civil disputes.

Tuesday’s confrontation followed the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s demolition of 11 police-owned duplexes in Apo District, which were built under high-tension power lines. Wike has maintained that the contested land had no official approval and vowed to escalate the matter to higher authorities.

As of press time, the Nigerian Navy had not released any official statement. When reached for comment, Navy spokesman A. Adams-Aliyu said briefly, “No reply for now.”