Journalist and broadcaster Rufai Oseni has weighed in on the recent viral confrontation between the Nyesom Wike-led team of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and a naval officer, identified in media reports as Lt Yerima, during a land dispute in Gaduwa, Abuja. 

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Oseni described the officer’s reaction to Wike’s verbal outburst as “calm, firm, and collected while Wike was busy behaving like a TikTok skit maker.”  The clip that has circulated shows Wike confronting the officer and reportedly shouting: “Keep quiet! You are a fool… As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school…” 

The moment that drew particular attention occurred when Wike called the soldier a “fool,” to which Lt Yerima calmly replied: “I’m not a fool, sir. I have integrity.” Oseni highlighted this response as the turning point. 

Oseni further mocked what he called Wike’s fallback tactic of invoking age and status when logic fails. He wrote: “That’s their emergency line when logic no longer works.” He compared this to a previous incident involving another minister, stating: “Age has become their last remaining certificate.” 

According to the reports, the altercation began when FCTA officials attempted to access a disputed plot of land belonging to a retired Chief of Naval Staff in the Gaduwa District of Abuja. The military presence at the site triggered a heated exchange. 

Lawyers, civil society groups and military veterans weighed in on the clash. The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre condemned the minister’s conduct, calling it “disgraceful and unbecoming of a public office holder.”  Meanwhile the Ministry of Defence affirmed that any officer acting lawfully will not be punished. 

Oseni’s commentary resonated widely on social media, as many users shared and cited his phrases. One Twitter user said:

“By the time the police officer spoke, bro was probably itching to slap somebody.” 

Another added:

“For a young man to go against Wike … it will definitely bring joy and applause.” 

The episode has triggered a larger conversation about institutional respect, civilian-military relations, and the tone of public officials in power. Some analysts suggest the clash may embolden critics of Wike, as it shows a public figure being challenged in a way previously uncommon. 

For his part, Oseni remarked:

“In that moment, Wike went low and the officer went high. One was shouting ‘Do you know who I am?’ The other quietly showed who he truly is.” 

As of this writing, there has been no public follow-up from Wike regarding Oseni’s commentary. The broader dispute over land rights, military involvement and ministerial authority continues to unfold in the public eye.