All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, has strongly condemned the actions of a soldier who clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during an official land inspection in Abuja. The political figure expressed outrage over what he described as “gross misconduct and disrespect for constituted authority.”
Wike’s clash with soldier sparks controversy
The confrontation occurred when the soldier, identified as Lieutenant Yarima, reportedly prevented Wike and his team from gaining access to a disputed parcel of land. The officer allegedly told the minister that he was acting on superior orders, a statement that immediately triggered tension at the scene.
Eyewitnesses reported that Wike, visibly angered, demanded to know who had issued the directive barring him from entering the site. The exchange quickly drew the attention of the security personnel and government aides present, while video footage of the encounter spread rapidly online, igniting intense public debate.
Joe Igbokwe reacts angrily
Reacting via his official Facebook page, Joe Igbokwe berated the soldier’s behavior, describing it as “a complete breakdown of discipline” within the military ranks. He called for immediate disciplinary action, arguing that no uniformed officer should publicly challenge a serving minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Igbokwe, a staunch supporter of the APC government, further questioned the motives behind the officer’s conduct, insinuating that there might be unseen hands influencing the altercation. He stated that the army must act decisively to restore order and reaffirm respect for civilian authority.
In his post, Igbokwe wrote: “Who is this man in uniform? Of what meat is he fed? Who is beating the drum for him? This is unacceptable! His uniform has to be removed. This is the young man, Lt. Yarima, that challenged FCT 001, His Excellency Nyesom Wike. The young officer has no respect for constituted authority. This is unacceptable. His uniform should be removed immediately.”
Public reactions and ongoing debate
The statement has generated mixed reactions across social media, with some users supporting Igbokwe’s call for discipline, while others argued that the soldier might have simply been following legitimate orders. Many Nigerians also questioned the level of coordination between the FCT authorities and security agencies during such operations.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has yet to release an official statement on the incident, though internal investigations are reportedly underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the clash. The viral video has continued to dominate online discussions, as citizens debate issues of power, respect, and the limits of authority between politicians and uniformed officers.
See the screenshots of Joe Igbokwe’s post below …
