Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), over his remarks on Wike’s recent altercation with a naval officer, Lt. Yerima in Abuja.

Buratai had earlier described Wike’s conduct during the confrontation with naval personnel led by Lt. A.M. Yerima as a national security concern and an affront to President Bola Tinubu, urging the minister to apologise.

Addressing journalists on Thursday at his Life Camp residence, Wike dismissed Buratai’s position, accusing the former Army chief of misinterpreting the events and lacking the moral authority to advise him on decorum or public conduct.

Wike insisted that Lt. Yerima was responsible for escalating the incident, which stemmed from a disputed parcel of land in the Gaduwa District.

According to the FCT Administration, the land was illegally acquired by former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, a directive Wike says Yerima was wrong to obey.

In a sharp response, Wike accused Buratai of having a questionable record, alleging that the former Army chief attempted to influence the 2019 governorship election in Rivers State and later acted as a polling agent during the APC presidential primaries.

“He cannot teach me decency,” Wike said, insisting he had survived previous attempts to undermine him politically.

Wike reiterated his loyalty to President Tinubu, stressing that he would continue to act within the bounds of the law regardless of criticism.

The minister urged all public officials, regardless of rank, to uphold the rule of law, adding that no individual or agency is above legal procedure.