Wike, Yerima Face-Off: Group Warns Against Undermining Civil Authority

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has cautioned Nigerians against actions that could erode democratic governance, following a confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lt. A. Yerima.

In a statement yesterday, the group’s Chairman, Isaac Abrak, described the incident as a “grave violation” of constitutional order, warning that celebrating such conduct could set a dangerous precedent.
Abrak said that respected legal experts, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, had affirmed that the Minister acted within his statutory powers under the Land Use Act and the Federal Capital Territory Act, which empower him to administer lands in the FCT.

He argued that blocking a Minister from accessing land under his jurisdiction was “ultra vires, unconstitutional and an affront” to the authority delegated to him by President Bola Tinubu through the electorate.

According to the group, the property involved is linked to a retired naval admiral, not the Nigerian Navy, and they insist that no law permits the deployment of serving military personnel to protect private real estate.

Abrak admitted that Wike might have used inappropriate language during the altercation, but maintained that this did not justify what he described as an unlawful obstruction by the naval officer.

He warned that reducing the issue to political sentiments could embolden future insubordination against democratic institutions. “This is not about Wike as a person. It is about the office he holds,” he said.

Citing international precedents in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, NCYP stressed that established democracies do not tolerate military interference with civilian authority.

The organisation urged President Tinubu to order a full investigation into the deployment of military personnel to the property and discipline all those involved.

It also advised Wike to apologise to the military for any inappropriate remarks, while calling on the Nigerian Navy to issue a formal apology to the FCT Administration.

NCYP further appealed to Nigerians to defend democratic institutions, resist the politicisation of constitutional issues and reject any attempt to normalise military interference in civil governance.