He criticized the officer for obstructing Wike’s access to a disputed plot of land in Abuja. He emphasized that the officer’s actions could not be justified under any lawful military order.

“Brushing sentiments aside, I totally condemn the actions of Naval Officer A.M. Yerima, who blocked the FCT Minister from accessing the parcel of land, under the guise of ‘obeying superior orders,’ he stated.

While acknowledging that military personnel are typically expected to obey their superiors, Hon stressed that such obedience has legal limits, as recognized by the Nigerian Supreme Court.

He pointed to landmark rulings, including Onunze v. State (2023) and Nigeria Air Force v. James (2002), which clarify that military officers are not bound to follow illegal or manifestly unjust orders.

“The illegal nature of this order stems from the fact that no service law permits a military officer to guard a private construction site, particularly under suspicious circumstances,” Hon explained.

According to Hon, if security concerns were present, Yerima should have involved the civil police rather than engaging in what he described as an unlawful act. He also pointed out that as FCT Minister, Wike holds delegated powers over land administration in Abuja, which are constitutionally derived from the President.

He acknowledged that Wike’s approach may have been confrontational, Hon emphasized that the minister’s actions were legal. “It is the officer who obstructed him that has violated not only the Constitution, but also military regulations,” he noted.

He further highlighted that under Section 114 of the Armed Forces Act, military personnel can be held criminally liable for civil offenses, including obstructing public officials in the course of their duties.

Hon also warned against celebrating or excusing such behavior, suggesting that it could embolden military personnel to disrespect civilian authority. “If such actions are allowed to go unpunished, it could set a dangerous precedent, where security forces feel empowered to intimidate civilians with impunity,” he cautioned.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District in Abuja, stemmed from a dispute over the ownership of the land. The FCT Administration, under Wike’s directive, had ordered a stop-work and demolition action on the site, as the developers lacked valid title documents.

A video circulating on social media shows the tense confrontation between Wike’s team and the naval officer, with the minister accusing the military personnel and developers of land grabbing. Wike, visibly upset, vowed not to be intimidated.

Speaking to the press after the incident, Wike said, “I was informed that the military came to chase them away, and I thought they were acting illegally. Today, when I went to implement my directive, I found that the military had taken over. It’s unfortunate, and I do not understand why someone in such a position would not come to my office to address the issue but instead tries to intimidate Nigerians.”

Wike emphasized that he would not yield to blackmail or intimidation, reaffirming his commitment to enforcing FCT policies.

Source: Punch

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According to Wike, “when we started having issues of National Chairman in North-Central, there was pressure for David Mark to be National Chairman of PDP. We refused.”

He questioned Mark’s impact during his time as Senate President, noting that holding a position is not enough without tangible contributions to national development.

“He has been a Senate President in the party for 8 years. What are the things that happened? What is the improvement?” Wike asked rhetorically.

The former Rivers State governor said he would rather support a fresh face with genuine reformist intentions than career politicians with long tenures but little track record of impact.

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Recall that Atiku dumped the PDP, predicating his resignation on the trajectory the party has taken.

“The only thing that interests Atiku Abubakar is to become Nigeria’s President. I’m beginning to wonder whether a doctor prescribed ‘Presidency’ for him, and if he doesn’t become President, something will happen to him,” Olayinka stated.

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On Wednesday, the doctors grounded all FCTA-owned hospitals in Abuja over unpaid arrears and other demands.

However, in an update on Friday, Ebong revealed that its members had started receiving alerts of the 6-month salary arrears.

Read Also: You fix roads, bridges, owe health workers’ – Striking doctors blast Wike

He also said Wike had approved and ordered immediate payment of the accoutrement allowance that was owed, approval of the medical residency bonding to 2 years, approval of the immediate employment of doctors and allied health workers to cushion the severe shortage of manpower, and approval and immediate payment of locum doctors and other health workers that were owed.

Ebong therefore noted that with the intervention by Wike, doctors in the FCT are requested to resume work today, 25 January 2025.

He added that the intervention had ended the impending indefinite shutdown of hospitals in Abuja.

Ebong, however, urged the minister to meet other of its demands to avert future action.

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The Ijaw leader, in a letter to the IGP, during a press briefing at his Asokoro residence, asked Egbetokun to arrest Wike over his threat to set fire in the states of governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Recall, that Wike, while speaking at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Saturday during the party’s state congress, warned the PDP governors to stay clear of the party’s affairs in Rivers.

Reacting, Clark said that the words of the former Rivers State governor marked a flagrant disrespect to the person of President Bola Tinubu, who appointed him. He described Wike’s comments as a form of treason, capable of inciting violence in the country.

According to the elder statesman, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, and #EndBadGovernance protesters had been arrested for similar offences.

He insisted that the IGP must do the same with the FCT minister and get him to retract his statements.

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The former Rivers State Governor threatened to cause a political crisis in the states of any Peoples Democratic Party governor who tried to interfere in the party’s affairs in the South-South state.

The PDP governors, who met in Taraba State on August 23, weighed in on the crisis rocking the party in the state and reiterated their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, in a communiqué read by its Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, called for a review of the party congress outcome to restore Fubara’s leadership role in the state.

Speaking at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt, the state capital, during the party’s state congress, Wike urged the PDP governors to stay clear of the party’s affairs in Rivers.

The Rivers PDP has been in crisis following the fallout between Wike and his predecessor, who was absent at the congress.

In attendance alongside the minister were some serving and past lawmakers at both federal and state levels, former council chairmen, and other party faithful.

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