A former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has demanded the court-martial of a naval officer involved in a public confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The incident occurred on Tuesday over a disputed property in Abuja’s Gaduwa District.
In a video shared on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Mr Dokubo stated that he was not taking sides personally but was instead siding with the rule of law.
“I’m not taking sides with Wike, I’m taking sides with what is the law, the rule, and the convention. What happened yesterday, in any sane society, that person would be reprimanded and detained,” he said.
The former militant leader described the officer’s actions as an unacceptable affront.
“The confrontation with the military man and the Minister of FCT is uncalled for. The minister is the governor of the FCT and, constitutionally, he is the chief security officer, next to the president, of the city of Abuja,” Mr Dokubo argued.
He emphasised the seriousness of the breach, adding, “I might not like Wike, our relationships have witnessed ups and downs, but in any sane society, that fellow ought to have been court-martialled. It can’t happen anywhere outside Nigeria.”
Mr Dokubo defended the minister’s decision to visit the site personally, asserting that it was part of his official duty. “In an executive system of government, I didn’t see anything wrong with the minister going there. Nobody can accept that sort of affront from somebody who, by the law, ought to see you as his superior,” he said.
The confrontation has ignited a significant public debate. Following the incident, the FCT Ministry released a statement quoting Mr Wike, who condemned the act as “lawlessness by military personnel” and vowed not to be intimidated.
Meanwhile, a coalition of Nigerian military veterans has criticised the minister for his handling of the encounter, highlighting the divided opinions the event has generated.
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