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The Altercation Between Officer Yerima And The FCT Minister Wike: Nigerians Express Divergent Views

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11 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Yesterday afternoon, at about 3pm, a Naval officer with the name A. M Yerima was involved in a face-off with the serving minister of the federal capital territory, Nyesome Wike, over land issue.

The altercation led to Wike addressing the officer as a ‘fool’ severally despite Yerima being polite in his responses. With all the verbal abuses to the officer of the law from the minister, the viral video showed that the Yerima stood his ground and refused to allow Wike assess the land; while letting him know that he was acting based on an order from his superior.

With a roudy scene as shown in the video, Wike later put a call directly to the Chief of Defense Staff, Oluyede Olufemi, who, according to the video, was believed to had made him leave the scene.

What is Really The Story Behind The Altercation?

According to a video made by a practicing human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, the said piece of land located at Gaduwa, in Abuja, belongs to a Chief Naval Officer. He acquired the land for his wife and started developing on it already when Wike’s men came threatening the builders to leave or they would be dealt with mercilessly. The development was reported to the Chief Naval Officer, and he ordered his boys to go to the location and make sure they were not harmed in any form.

Wike’s men having known that military officers had arrived, positioning themselves strategically on the piece of land, went to inform their superior who came and started verbal abuses.

Who Is Wrong?

With that exchange between the young, polite, and vibrant officer Yerima and Wike, some people are of the opinion that the officer was wrong to have come to the scene, as it’s not right for a military personnel to meddle in civilian cases like land dispute; citing the Land Acts section of law that prohibits such.

Conversely, others insist the officer wasn’t wrong, that it’s Wike–for addressing an officer of the law as a fool; noting that the said piece of land belongs to a 3–star General who acquired it for his wife. They further argued that Wike should have immediately reach out to the said 3–star General to find out the legality of his acquisition of the land instead of involving himself in an exchange with the officer to the extent he had to abuse in order to make a point.

What Does The Law Say?

According to another practicing lawyer, Osita Chidoka–the founder of Athena Centre For Policy And Leadership, he made two points known in his piece which he entitled: “Minister Wike: Power, Process, And The Rule of Law”:

One of the points was that the FCT Minister was wrong to have abused the officer verbally:

“Any law enforcement officer, in uniform or plain clothes, represents the President and the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. To abuse such an officer is to diminish the authority of the Republic itself,” he posted.

The second point was the process that Wike took the matter through. Osita explained that he would have taken the matter through the appropriate channels instead of trying to enforce an order himself while making verbal abuses.

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“Executive authority must be exercised or adjudicated through the courts, ministries, and lawful instruments of state, never through confrontation. No matter how justified a grievance, a minister cannot become an enforcer; that violates the very idea of ordered government.

In a democracy, ministers act through process, not presence. A formal communication to the Minister of Defence, whose office oversees the Armed Forces, would have sufficed. If the officers were on illegal duty, the established disciplinary systems would have addressed it.”

Chidoka concluded by noting that the FCT Minister has dent the image of the office he holds by his uncouth behavior at the site:

“This episode is a cautionary tale: This episode demeans the dignity of the office of the Minister and undermines the image of disciplined governance.”

However, section 5 of the Land Use Act gives the Governor, or the FCT Minister in Abuja, wide powers to manage all land within their jurisdiction. In simple terms, this means the Governor can legally grant anyone the right to occupy and use land for any purpose—whether for housing, business, farming, or public use. The Governor can also authorise someone to use part of another person’s land for specific purposes, charge rent for land that has been allocated, and review or change that rent from time to time, as stated in the land documents or whenever necessary.

But that does not warrant him insulting an officer who, by extension, represents the president of the federal republic of Nigeria as the C-in-C of the armed forces.

Another lawyer, Muhammad Bello Buhari, stated that the laws vested on the FCT Minister, authorizing him to wield certain powers do not exonerate him from the uncouth behavior that he exhibited at the Gaduwa land scene.

 

 

“From the reports that have emerged, the land in question was acquired by the 23rd CNS, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo (Rtd), duly documented, and lawfully owned. Yet, under the present administration, it was suddenly revoked without justification, without notice, without compensation, and the minister personally led a team of police and bulldozers to enforce that revocation. How can a revocation of title be valid when it violates the due process prescribed by the same Land Use Act that confers power on the minister? Even under that law, revocation must be founded on overriding public interest, not personal vendetta or political motivation. And where revocation is done, the law requires notice and compensation. When none of these exist, what we have is not law, it is brute power,” Mr. Bello posted.

He continued, “Let us even assume, for argument’s sake, that the land was properly revoked. Should that justify the minister’s physical presence, berating and demeaning a presidential commissioned military officer on lawful duty, acting under the orders of a three-star general? The same law that vests authority in the minister also imposes boundaries on how that authority should be exercised. Power must always be subject to restraint, and leadership without discipline is the most dangerous form of lawlessness.”

Reacting to the development, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenaant General Tukur Buratai(rtd), posted on his social media handle that Wike’s action undermines the security consciousness of the country:

“The events of November 11, 2025, involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, demand an immediate and serious response. His public disparagement of a uniformed officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces transcends mere misconduct; it represents a palpable threat to national security and institutional integrity,” he posted.
General Buratai concluded by urging the FCT Minister to tender an apology for the verbal abuses toward the officer:

“Consequently, Barrister Nyesom Wike must tender an immediate and unequivocal public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief, the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the specific officer whose honour was violated.

Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing. The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less.”

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IMF to Nigeria: Don’t Bring Back Petrol Subsidy for Everyone, Help the Poor Instead

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21 hours ago

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October 14, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Nigeria against restoring broad petrol subsidy, recommending targeted support for vulnerable households to cushion the impact of rising energy costs.

IMF said blanket petrol subsidies were expensive, often benefited higher-income consumers disproportionately and could worsen fiscal pressures amid rising borrowing costs.

Rodrigo Valdés, director of the IMF’s fiscal affairs department, spoke during a press briefing on the fund’s fiscal monitor at the 2026 annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday.

His comments followed a question on how the fund could recommend allowing energy prices to reflect scarcity when higher fuel prices in Nigeria could raise transport costs, worsen inflation and deepen poverty, particularly when the government was facing calls to restore petrol subsidy ahead of an election year.

“Protecting people is not the same as protecting the price of fuels,” Valdés said.

He said fuel subsidies or measures preventing prices from adjusting fully to an energy shock had cost countries between 1 percent and 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026.

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“It’s first fiscally very costly, and second, if you look at the pattern of consumption, it’s easy to see that that subsidy is readily regressive in many places,” he said.

Valdés said governments should instead use social safety nets and household data to identify people who need assistance.

“There are better tools to deal with this,” he said.

The federal government recently announced a 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited retail stations, with priority for public transport operators, to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices.

Taiwo Oyedele, minister of finance, said NNPC retail would sell petrol at cost by foregoing its retail profit margin, describing the measure as temporary relief rather than a return to petrol subsidy.

The government also proposed negotiating a ceiling of N1,350 per litre on petrol’s ex-gantry or landing cost, subject to monthly reviews.

The IMF also recommended targeted interventions to cushion the effect of higher fuel prices on transportation costs.

Davide Furceri, a division chief in the fund’s fiscal affairs department, said governments could redirect some of the resources spent on blanket subsidies towards vulnerable consumers.

“For example, you mentioned transportation costs. Yeah, gasoline could go up, and perhaps bus fees may be subsidised in a way that is a much better policy at the end of the day than just a blanket subsidy for everybody,” Furceri said.

He also suggested alternatives such as school feeding programmes, geographical targeting and assistance for vulnerable farmers.

Furceri acknowledged that some countries lacked household registries and digital payment systems needed to deliver targeted support effectively.

However, he said governments could adopt alternative approaches in the short term while developing stronger systems.

He recommended that assistance should be limited, targeted and temporary.

Valdés explained that fuel subsidies could worsen global energy pressures by preventing demand from adjusting when supplies were constrained.

“When you subsidise, you don’t allow, at the end of the day, demand to adjust,” he said.

“And reality is that we have less fuels in the world economy. That means that someone else has to adjust more, and the market produces a higher price for that.”

The IMF official said subsidies were not only costly and regressive but could also have spillover effects on the global economy.

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Ahmad Hamisu Gwale Wins NBMA National Award for Best Male Newscaster 2026

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1 day ago

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October 13, 2026

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Kano-born journalist and broadcaster Ahmad Hamisu Gwale of Premier Radio 102.7 FM, Kano, has emerged as the winner of the Best Radio Newscaster (Male) National category at the seventh edition of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) 2026.

The awards ceremony was held on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, bringing together broadcasting and media professionals to recognise excellence, professionalism and innovation across Nigeria’s media industry.

The annual awards featured more than 85 categories spanning television, radio and digital media.

Gwale emerged as the winner ahead of five other nominees: Gbenga Alli-Balogun of Eko FM; Nnah Douglas of Wazobia FM Abuja; Nyamgul Agaji of City 105.1 FM; Augustus “GUS” Aigbe of Cool FM; and Chike Osuji of Orient FM/IBC Owerri.

His achievement marks a significant milestone in his broadcasting career, further highlighting his work in radio news presentation and journalism.

From Sports Broadcasting to National Recognition.

Before winning the NBMA national award, Gwale received recognition from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kano State chapter, as Best Radio Sports Presenter of the Year 2024.

The award was presented on 6 February 2025 during the association’s calendar launch in Kano, recognising his contributions to sports broadcasting.

His recognition at both the SWAN awards and NBMA reflects his professional experience across two important areas of radio broadcasting: sports presentation and news reading.

Early Life and Education

Ahmad Hamisu Gwale was born in Sani Mainagge, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria.

He developed an interest in journalism and communication, which led him to pursue formal training in mass communication. He graduated from the School of Basic Mass Communication (BMC), Kano, in 2018.

He subsequently studied Computer Science at Kano State Polytechnic, completing his programme on 15 May 2026. He is currently advancing his studies in Computer Science through the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

His educational background combines communication and journalism training with technical knowledge, supporting his interests in digital publishing, multimedia production and technology-driven media.

Journalism and Broadcasting Career

Gwale began his journalism career at Freedom Radio Kano in 2021 before joining Premier Radio 102.7 FM Kano in 2023.

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At Premier Radio, he has worked in different capacities, including newsreader, reporter, sports presenter and multimedia journalist. His experience covers news preparation and presentation, editorial work, current affairs reporting, sports coverage and digital content production.

His professional responsibilities and interests include presenting news bulletins, writing and editing reports, covering football competitions, conducting interviews and producing content for broadcast and online audiences.

He has also contributed to sports programmes, including Zauren Wasanni, through which audiences receive updates and discussions about sporting developments.

Through these roles, Gwale has built experience in communicating news and sports information to diverse audiences.

Contributions to Sports Journalism and Barau FC

Beyond radio broadcasting, Gwale has been involved in football media and communications, particularly through his work with Barau Football Club, popularly known as the Maliya Boys.

His contributions have included preparing match reports, previews, player profiles, official announcements, post-match updates and digital content for supporters.

His involvement in football communications has also focused on promoting players, documenting club activities and bringing developments in Kano football to a wider audience.

His experience in sports journalism has complemented his broadcasting career and contributed to his recognition by SWAN Kano.

Publishing and Media Entrepreneurship

In addition to his broadcasting career, Gwale is the founder and chief executive officer of AHG Mirror Media Services Company.

He is also associated with Independent Mirror, an online newspaper established in September 2023, where he serves in a leadership and publishing capacity.

His media interests span online newspaper publishing, news reporting, digital content creation, multimedia production, social media management, online branding and media consultancy.

Through these initiatives, he seeks to expand access to news and information while exploring opportunities offered by digital communication and contemporary media platforms.

Combining Journalism with Technology

Gwale’s interest in Computer Science complements his work in journalism and digital publishing.

His technical education supports his broader interests in online media development, digital communication and multimedia production.

By combining journalism with technology, he is developing a professional profile that spans traditional broadcasting, online publishing, sports communications and media entrepreneurship.

A Milestone in His Broadcasting Career

Winning the Best Radio Newscaster (Male) — National award at NBMA 2026 adds to Gwale’s professional recognition and marks another milestone in his journey through Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.

From his early career at Freedom Radio Kano to his work at Premier Radio and his involvement in digital publishing and football communications, his experience reflects a career built across news presentation, sports journalism and media enterprise.

His latest recognition at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards places his name among the award recipients celebrated at the seventh edition of the national broadcasting event.

Ahmad Hamisu Gwale continues to pursue opportunities at the intersection of journalism, sports, technology and digital media.

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Senate Passes Barau’s Bill to Provide Legal Framework for Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano

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1 day ago

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October 13, 2026

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The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin (APC, Kano North), to provide a legal framework for the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, Kano State.

The bill was passed during plenary presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON. It seeks to provide the statutory foundation for the effective management and administration of the institution.

Recall that in September 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the conversion of the Federal Colleges of Education in Kano and Zaria into federal universities of education.

Following Senator Barau’s request on behalf of the people of Kano, President Tinubu, on May 10, 2025, also approved the renaming of the institution as the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

To give the institution a legal framework, Senator Barau sponsored the bill, which passed through the legislative process and was approved by the Senate for second and third readings. The bill scaled first reading on Wednesday, March 25, 2025.

While leading the debate on the bill, Senator Barau said the legislation was necessary to give legal backing to the institution.

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He commended President Tinubu for approving the institution’s upgrade and renaming, explaining that the bill would provide a legal framework for the promotion and development of teacher education and make comprehensive provisions for the university’s management and administration.

He said: “Mr Senate President, this institution has already been established by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You may recall, my colleagues, that in the last Senate, I made efforts to facilitate the establishment of these institutions, including the Federal College of Education, Zaria, which was to be upgraded to a full-fledged university, as well as Alvan Ikoku College of Education and Adeyemi College of Education. The bills were passed and transmitted to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, but they were not assented to.

“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, I approached him and conveyed the desire of my people to have the Federal College of Education, Kano, upgraded to a full-fledged university. He assured me that, since it was the request of the people, it would be done. The President subsequently approved the upgrade of the institution.

“But we were not done yet. At the request of my people, I returned to the President to seek approval for the institution to be named after the late Yusuf Maitama Sule. The President immediately approved the request. Today, the institution is a full-fledged university offering degrees in various fields of education.

” We cannot thank Mr President enough. He loves Kano and has consistently acceded to our requests. Beyond this institution, he has also approved the establishment of the Federal University of Science and Technology in Kabo and the Federal Polytechnic in Rano. We cannot thank him enough for these interventions.”

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Senator Barau for sponsoring the bill and thanked senators for supporting its swift passage.

He expressed optimism that President Tinubu would assent to the bill upon its transmission to him, thereby providing the university with the necessary statutory and regulatory framework to fulfil its mandate and continue contributing to national development.

Signed:
Ismail Mudashir
Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate
(Media and Publicity)
October 13, 2026

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