Human rights advocate Femi Falana, SAN, has offered a detailed legal and political analysis of the public altercation between Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lieutenant Abdullahi Yerima, in Abuja.
The incident, which sparked nationwide debate, occurred when the minister confronted the officer over traffic movement during an official outing in the Federal Capital Territory.
The clash quickly escalated, with video footage showing Wike expressing anger at the naval personnel on duty.
The controversy has since grown into a major test of civil–military relations under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, drawing commentary from security experts, lawyers, retired military officers, and political analysts across the country.
Falana, in an interview with The Punch, said the Presidency’s prolonged silence, lasting more than four days, was impossible to sustain given the national attention the episode had attracted.
He emphasized that the Federal Government would eventually need to address the matter because it had already created visible divisions within President Tinubu’s cabinet.
He observed that two serving ministers openly expressed support for Lt. Yerima, a development he described as politically careless because it risked projecting the military officer as a political tool rather than a professional serviceman.
According to him, such gestures from cabinet members showed a lack of internal coordination within the administration.
Falana noted that several retired service chiefs and senior ex-military personnel had sided with Lt. Yerima and demanded that Wike be reprimanded for his language and conduct during the confrontation.
He added that many Nigerians also believed the minister overreacted, especially for referring to the naval officer as a “fool,” a comment that many considered unnecessarily demeaning.
Providing historical context, Falana recalled a 2011 incident in Ghana where a cabinet minister was compelled by the Atta Mills administration to withdraw derogatory comments made about taxi drivers.
He also referenced the famous 2014 “Plebgate” scandal in the United Kingdom, where a senior Conservative politician publicly apologized after belittling police officers by calling them “plebs.”
Falana argued that political leaders across democracies are often held accountable for disrespectful or inflammatory remarks, insisting that Nigeria should not be an exception.
He stated that while Wike denied calling Lt. Yerima a fool, it was evident the minister regretted aspects of his response and should tender an apology to the officer to restore public confidence.
He maintained that civilian authorities must be cautious when dealing with security personnel, especially in a tense political climate, to avoid fostering resentment or encouraging future confrontations.
Falana warned that Nigeria must strengthen protocols guiding interactions between political officeholders and uniformed officers to preserve mutual respect and prevent avoidable conflicts.
The senior advocate concluded that the current controversy offers the government an opportunity to clarify boundaries, reinforce discipline across institutions, and demonstrate leadership by addressing the matter transparently and promptly.
