The now viral exchange between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a uniformed soldier in Gaduwa has become more than a heated moment on contested land.
It has grown into a national conversation about law, authority, military professionalism, and the boundaries of state power.
What seemed like a routine inspection of a disputed plot quickly escalated into a symbolic clash between two sensitive institutions: civil administration and the Armed Forces.
At the heart of the confrontation were two sentences spoken in the full glare of the public:
Wike: “Keep quiet! Don’t talk when I am talking.”
The Soldier: “I’m not a fool, sir. I am acting on orders.”
These words sharp, courageous, ridicule and provocative shows the tension that buried the conversation between Regina v Ned.
As FCT Minister, Wike’s mandate is clear: enforce the Land Use Act, ensure compliance with the Abuja Master Plan, and prevent illegal occupation of government land. His visit to Gaduwa was grounded in this duty.
According to land administration experts, the minister was right to demand:
1. Statutory Right of Occupancy.
2. Development and Building Approvals.
3. Planning Permissions.
4. Layout Consistency with FCTA Guidelines.
The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN)
The group condemned the deployment of soldiers for a land dispute, warning that military involvement in civilian property matters violates constitutional boundaries and invites abuse of force.
Under the FCT Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Law, no development can legally commence without ministerial approval. Wike’s insistence on documentation aligns directly with these statutory powers.
These analysts argue that Abuja’s chronic land manipulation is often fueled by impunity linked to powerful retired officials. Wike’s intervention is therefore seen as part of a long overdue cleansing of the capital’s chaotic land allocation system.
Urban planners remind the public that previous administrations were heavily criticised for ignoring the Master Plan. Wike’s no nonsense enforcement approach, they say, restores the original vision of Abuja as a disciplined federal city.
Through this lens, Wike was fulfilling his mandate and maybe not battling the military, but battling lawlessness masquerading as entitlement.
Yet, despite Wike’s lawful mandate, the soldier’s conduct has earned him widespread respect. He did not threaten, retaliate, or escalate. Instead, he maintained an impressive level of military restraint, telling the minister:
”I am not a fool, sir. I am acting on orders.”
Packed into that single sentence are the pillars of military professionalism:
Obedience to the chain of command,
Integrity in the face of intimidation,
Calmness under provocation,
Commitment to duty.
His composure has since sparked support and drew the attention of key individuals:
Gen. Lucky Irabor (Rtd.) Former Chief of Defence Staff warned that “the uniform represents the authority of the Nigerian state” and must never be publicly insulted. To demean an officer, he explained, is to weaken the morale of the entire force.
Bello Matawalle the present Defense Minister stood firmly behind the soldier, insisting that he acted within the law, within orders, and with commendable discipline. He described the officer’s behaviour as exemplary.
Several veteran groups emphasised that humiliating a uniformed officer undermines institutional discipline, which is the bedrock of military cohesion.
To many Nigerians, the soldier became the face of professionalism; firm yet respectful, obedient yet dignified.
The confrontation forces the country to reconsider important institutional questions:
Where is the boundary between civilian authority and military presence?
While civil authority must lead, the military’s dignity must also be preserved. A balance is essential for stable governance.
However, should military officers be deployed on civilian land disputes?
Legal experts warn that such deployments blur constitutional roles and may empower powerful individuals to misuse security forces.
How do we prevent Abuja’s land system from being manipulated?
Both Wike’s insistence on documentation and the soldier’s lawful obedience show that reforms must touch both civilian bureaucracies and security protocols.
In Conclusion, the whole fuss clearly shows two institutions and one nation:
Wike defended the law and the integrity of Abuja’s land administration.
The soldier defended the honour, discipline, and orderliness of the Nigerian military.
Neither stands alone. Both represent essential pillars of Nigeria’s stability.
The viral phrase “I’m not a fool, sir” was not rebellion. It was a dignified reminder that behind every uniform is a trained professional sworn to duty, not submission.
And Wike’s fiery demand for documentation was not tyranny; it was a reminder that no individual, no matter how powerful, can bypass the law.
In the end, Nigeria needs the firmness of civil authority and the discipline of the Armed Forces.
The Gaduwa confrontation exposed their friction but also their value.
If both institutions learn from this moment, it may yet become a turning point for a stronger, more accountable nation.
Ochada Moses
Abuja, Nigeria
14-11-2025.
