Wike’s Most Embarrassing CDS Call: Yerima Stands Firm

How FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Was Ultimately Humiliated After Calling the Chief of Defence Staff, Hoping to Order Officer Yerima Out

By Aniako Ogochukwu | Bites and Beauty | November 12, 2025 | Naija News, Power Plays, Abuja Drama

     The confrontation between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and Lt. Ahmad M. Yerima, a Nigerian Navy officer, on November 11, 2025, has dominated headlines and social media, drawing widespread reactions from politicians, analysts, and the public. What began as a routine enforcement of a stop-work order at Plot 1946 in Gaduwa District, Abuja, escalated into a tense standoff that highlighted tensions between civilian authority and military protocol. The incident, captured in a viral video that garnered over 500,000 views within hours, culminated in Wike's phone call to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, which failed to yield the outcome the minister sought. This report details the sequence of events, key statements, and broader implications, based on eyewitness accounts, official responses, and expert analyses.

The Gaduwa Standoff: A Routine Inspection Turns Tense

       The incident unfolded around midday on November 11, 2025, at Plot 1946 in Gaduwa District, a high-value area in Abuja's outskirts. The land is registered to retired Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, former Chief of Naval Staff from 2021 to 2023, who claims valid documentation for development. Wike, accompanied by FCT Administration officials from the Department of Development Control, Commissioner of Police Ben Hundeyin, and Department of State Services (DSS) agents, arrived to enforce a stop work order, citing lack of building approvals and allegations of illegal encroachment.
     A team of 12 naval officers, led by Lt. Yerima a Kanuri officer in his late 20s whose name means "prince" in his ethnic language was stationed at the site on direct orders from a three star general to secure the property. Yerima informed the minister's team that access was restricted pending resolution of the dispute, emphasizing that the officers were acting under military protocol. The exchange quickly intensified, with Wike demanding entry and stating, "There is no order higher than me. I am the FCT Minister. You are taking an illegal order. You will never develop this plot."
        Yerima responded calmly: "Sir, I took orders from a three star General. You can resolve this with my superiors." Tensions peaked as DSS and police personnel accompanying Wike challenged the officers, prompting Yerima to warn, "You cannot shut me up,you are my juniors. You cannot even talk when I am talking." The standoff raised immediate concerns about potential violence, with eyewitnesses noting the presence of armed personnel from both sides. Lere Olayinka, Wike's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, later alleged that the naval officers "threatened to shoot" the minister, though no shots were fired.
     To de-escalate, Wike placed a call to CDS Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in October 2025. He handed the phone to Yerima, who explained the situation: "Sir, we're following Vice Admiral orders on this naval property." The CDS listened but issued no directive to override the officers. The call ended without resolution, leaving Wike's team to withdraw from the site in what multiple observers described as a "slow retreat."
        The video of the encounter spread rapidly, amassing over 500,000 views on X by evening, with hashtags like #WikeYerima and #YerimaStandsFirm trending nationwide. It has since fueled debates on the boundaries of executive authority in land enforcement, especially amid Wike's ongoing demolition campaigns in the FCT, which have displaced thousands since his appointment in 2023.

The CDS Call: Protocol Upheld Amid Rising Tensions

      The pivotal moment came during the direct conversation between Lt. Yerima and CDS Gen. Oluyede. Leaked audio snippets, circulated on social media, captured Yerima reiterating his adherence to chain of command protocols, citing the land's naval affiliation and prior approvals. The CDS, responsible for overseeing all armed forces as the principal military adviser to the President, did not intervene, effectively upholding the officers' position. Hours later, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) posted a cryptic message on X: "Unshaken, unbent, unbroken," interpreted by many as a subtle affirmation of military independence.
      Legal experts note that while Wike holds significant authority over FCT land use and urban planning under the FCT Act, ultimate command of the military rests with the President as Commander-in-Chief. Socio-political analyst Charles Ogbu described the minister's onsite approach as a deviation from standard procedure, suggesting a formal written complaint would have avoided the public spectacle. Wike's aide, Lere Olayinka, countered that the visit followed prior communication with the CDS, framing the officers' resistance as an intimidation tactic.
        The exchange included pointed remarks from Wike, who referred to the officers as following "illegal orders" and warned of consequences for the plot's development. Yerima maintained composure, denying any intent to intimidate and emphasizing the property's documented status. Barrister Firsts Baba Isa, commenting on the viral footage, criticized both parties for escalating the situation, arguing that Yerima's role in guarding private land deviated from core military duties.
       This episode underscores ongoing frictions in Abuja's land administration, where high-profile disputes often involve retired military figures and allegations of favoritism. The Nigerian Navy has yet to issue an official statement, maintaining silence as of November 12, 2025.

Broader Reactions: Condemnations, Defenses, and Calls for Accountability

The video's rapid dissemination triggered a cascade of responses across political and media circles. Professor Farooq Kperogi, a U.S.-based Nigerian scholar, labeled Wike a "vicious, power drunk pocket tyrant" in an opinion piece titled "Three Quick Thoughts on Wike and Yerima," praising Yerima's "unflappability" as a model of discipline. Activist Deji Adeyanju accused Wike of revoking lands for personal gain, citing the Gaduwa plot as part of a pattern where "ordinary people's land" is reallocated to allies, including examples like Santos Properties' 30 hectare development.
     Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate, framed the incident as "karma" for Wike's alleged 2017 interference in an EFCC judge selection process. Former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.) condemned Wike's "verbal abuse," calling it a "reckless endangerment of national order" and demanding an apology to President Tinubu, the armed forces, and Yerima. Radio host Ahmed Isah, known as "Ordinary President," echoed the call, urging accountability for the minister's language toward a uniformed officer.
       Nollywood producer Stanley Ontop mocked the minister's withdrawal as a "slow walk of shame," amplifying the footage's viral reach. Isaac Fayose, son of former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, questioned Wike's "unlimited power" in a pointed social media post. On the defense side, APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe criticized Yerima's conduct as "disrespectful," accusing unnamed elites of using the officer to obstruct Wike's reform agenda against illegal land deals.

       Psychologist John Egbeazien Oshodi highlighted the risks, warning that Wike's rage could have triggered a "bloodbath" via overzealous bodyguards. Public sentiment, as reflected in X polls, favored Yerima by 80%, with many hailing his professionalism amid the power imbalance. Claims have also surfaced linking Lt. Yerima to former Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, though unconfirmed.
       These reactions have amplified scrutiny on Wike's FCT tenure, where demolitions and revocations intended to curb urban sprawl have displaced residents and sparked lawsuits. The incident raises questions about inter-agency coordination and the potential for similar clashes in ongoing land disputes


Implications and Ongoing Fallout: A Test for Institutions

     The Gaduwa clash extends beyond the immediate parties, spotlighting systemic issues in Nigeria's land governance and security apparatus. Wike's office maintains the action was lawful enforcement against unauthorized development, while Gambo's representatives insist on full compliance with FCT regulations. Analyst Adewale Adeoye described it as a "failed system" symptom, where ministers view soldiers as extensions of political will rather than independent guardians of order.
       As of November 12, 2025, no formal investigation has been announced, though calls for one persist from figures like Chidoka, who termed Wike's conduct an "attack on the Republic." The Nigerian Navy's continued silence contrasts with the DHQ's post, fueling speculation of internal deliberations. Broader concerns include the precedent for civilian/military interactions, especially in Abuja, where land values exceed ₦500 million per plot in contested areas.
          This event joins a series of high-profile FCT disputes under Wike, including recent ultimatums for land use violators in Asokoro and Maitama. It serves as a stark reminder of institutional boundaries in Nigeria's federal structure, where executive overreach can strain alliances critical to national stability.
       The full video remains available on platforms like X and YouTube, continuing to shape public discourse on accountability and respect for hierarchy.

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