‘Wike was right all along’ – Aide reveals truth behind Abuja land clash 

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained what led to the heated confrontation between the Minister and some soldiers in Abuja.

Olayinka revealed that a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd.), was allegedly scammed in a controversial land deal — and instead of seeking official help, he reportedly resorted to using military force.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Olayinka said the land in question was never allocated to the former Naval Chief, but to a company that later attempted to convert it for commercial purposes.

“That particular land was allocated to a company in 2007, Santos Estate Limited, for park and recreation. The company did not do anything on the land because that place is a road corridor, you don’t build there,” Olayinka said.

He explained that in 2022, the company wrote to the FCT Development Authority (FCTDA), seeking approval to change the purpose of the land from recreation to commercial use.

“Probably in anticipation of the Minister’s approval, the company began partitioning the land originally meant for park and recreation and sold it to people, including the former Chief of Naval Staff,” he added.

“I want to say here that the former Chief of Naval Staff was scammed, and he has realised that he was scammed. Instead of coming forward to seek help, he resorted to using military might.”

The comments come after a tense scene on Tuesday in the Gaduwa district of Abuja, where Wike and his entourage clashed with some soldiers guarding the disputed land.

“This is unprofessional. You cannot be threatening a minister like this,” one of Wike’s aides was heard saying as the minister attempted to access the site.

Visibly angered, Wike confronted the soldiers, insisting that no one is above the law.

“You have no document,” the FCT minister said during the face-off.

When the soldiers refused to yield, Wike fumed at what he described as impunity.

“We cannot continue to act in impunity. We cannot continue this way. This country cannot go along this line.
You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that they can intimidate,” he declared