Wike vs Naval Officer: Academy Regulars Condemns Minister’s Conduct, Calls for Apology Over Disrespect to Military Chain of Command
By Passman Akpos
Abuja, Nigeria — A statement released by The Academy Regulars, a Facebook page widely followed by aspirants of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), has sparked renewed debate over the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a young Naval officer during a land dispute involving a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A.Z. Gambo (rtd).
According to the platform, the bitter truth remains that “the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, knows vividly that the land in question belongs to the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A.Z. Gambo,” yet he allegedly chose to exercise political power over a matter tied to military authority.
The statement further criticized Wike’s approach during the encounter, noting that the young officer in question was only carrying out the lawful orders of his superior.
> “Was he expecting the young Naval officer to disobey the order of his superior? That would have been the greatest act of insubordination in the service,” The Academy Regulars wrote. “A young officer who is just starting cannot afford to disobey a direct command; doing so could attract disciplinary action or even a court-martial for indiscipline.”
The group expressed disappointment over the minister’s choice of words, suggesting that as a senior public official and “a father figure,” Wike should have handled the matter with restraint and dialogue rather than confrontation.
> “Nyesom Wike should have acted like a reasonable father, talked to the young officer kindly rather than using harsh words on him,” the statement continued. “For that, he must tender an apology to the young officer because he was simply acting under orders from a higher military authority.”
The Academy Regulars further advised that in such sensitive situations involving military property or personnel, it is always wiser for political leaders to engage directly with the appropriate military hierarchy for clarification and resolution, rather than attempting to “use political power to suppress military command.”
The group concluded by warning that confrontations of this nature could escalate into matters of national security if not properly managed, urging restraint, respect for institutional boundaries, and mutual understanding between civil authorities and the armed forces.
The incident, which has since generated widespread reactions online, continues to raise questions about the balance of authority between political office holders and the nation’s armed institutions.
