Wike in Fresh Mess as ex-COAS Buratai Drops Bombshell: "Disrespects the Authority"
- Tukur Buratai, a former chief of army staff, has raised concerns about FCT Minister Nyesom Wike's action against a military officer in uniform
- The former army boss, in his reaction, described the minister's outburst against the young officer as a disrespect to the authority
- Buratai explained that Wike's action cannot be dismissed as a political theatre and rolled out the security implications and what the minister needed to do as remedies
Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), might have gotten it wrong with his confrontation with a soldier in uniform during his enforcement visit to a disputed land in Abuja on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Wike was said to have called the officer unprintable names. Addressing this, former chief of army staff, Rtd Major General Tukur Buratai, noted that it "can not be dismissed as political theatre" and strongly condemned the minister's action.
Source: Twitter
In a Facebook post, hours after the incident, the former army boss noted that the "public disparagement of a uniformed officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces" by the minister went beyond ordinary misconduct.
Buratai described the minister's action as a potential threat to the integrity of the institution and national security.
Buratai speaks on Wike's public outburst
According to Buratai, Wike's verbal assault on the military officer who was in uniform was purely "profound indiscipline", which was purely against Nigeria's "command and control structure." He explained that it was a direct disrespect to the "Commander-in-Chief", which is President Bola Tinubu.
The former COAS went on to note that it would remain a wound on the morale of everyone serving the country, and it went against every pillar of discipline, which was the representation of the security apparatus of the country.
The statement reads in part:
"This can not be dismissed as political theatre. It is a reckless endangerment of national order. This action by Wike is clearly an indication of undermining the federal government’s authority."
Source: Facebook
Buratai lists those Wike should apologise to
The former COAS then asked the minister to immediately tender a public and unequivocal apology to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the officer he verbally assaulted. He warned that Nigeria's security must always be prioritised and the integrity of the armed forces must be respected.
Wike's action against the military officer has been generating reactions from concerned Nigerians, as many claimed the minister went too far with his action.
See Buratai's full statement here:
Wike has been in the news in recent times over his warnings to landowners in Abuja to follow due processes in their dealings.
Wike speaks on Donald Trump's allegation
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nyesom Wike accused the opposition leaders of dividing the country by promoting religious sentiment.
Wike made the allegation while reacting to the claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria by US President Donald Trump.
The minister stressed that the opposition was acting beyond politics because they are aware that no one can defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
