The debate over Minister Nyesom Wike’s confrontation with a naval officer in Abuja has drawn new insight from Gimba Kakanda, a top aide to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Kakanda, a senior special assistant to the president on research and analytics in the office of the Vice President, defended the legal authority of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, arguing that the criticism against Wike stems more from personal dislike than from a sound understanding of land law.
He said the uproar branding Wike a land grabber ignores the fact that, under Nigerian law, the FCT Minister wields the same land powers as state governors.
According to him, Wike’s control over land within Abuja’s jurisdiction is legally established, and any attempt by the military to obstruct that authority undermines civilian governance.
Kakanda stated that those supporting the naval officer’s actions must explain where the Armed Forces Act allows a soldier to obey an “unlawful command” and still be protected by the doctrine of superior orders.
He said the country’s constitution and the rule of law remain supreme over military instructions.
Citing Section 5 of the Land Use Act, Kakanda explained that both governors and the FCT Minister have the power to allocate, manage, and revoke land for public purposes.
He said the law empowers them to grant rights of occupancy, impose penalties on defaulters, and review or waive conditions where necessary.
These provisions, he added, make the FCT Minister the legal trustee of all land within Abuja.
Kakanda also pointed out that Section 28 of the Land Use Act allows revocation of land rights for overriding public interest, while Section 47 protects the Minister’s decisions from judicial interference unless a court issues a valid injunction.
“Without such an injunction, the Minister’s administrative actions stand,” he noted.
He warned that no person, including members of the armed forces, has the right to occupy or develop land in Abuja without following due process. Any land transaction outside the approval of the Minister, he said, is “null and void.”
Kakanda concluded that while Wike’s personal appearance at the disputed site may have been unnecessary, his authority over land remains lawful.
He described the public outrage as “emotional and political,” insisting that military interference in civil administration cannot be justified under any legal framework.
“The rule of law must prevail over sentiment and military intrusion,” he said, maintaining that unless a competent court rules otherwise, the powers of the FCT Minister remain intact under the Land Use Act.
Of all responsibilities upon his shoulders as the FCR minister why is Land use act his most priority? Make all of Una great. Is land revocation the best thing he could do as a minister of that repute? All of Una dey just whine unaself
Respect sir, the constitution spelt it out wisely. The minister ‘s right was noted but did not show decorum in his line of duty. The vice president should advice him wike on his public show of shame . He lack professionalism in his ways of dealing with people