The recent altercation between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and military personnel protecting the property of retired Navy officer Vice Admiral Awa Gambo starkly illustrates the precarious balance of power between military and civilian authorities in Nigeria. However, the incident also reveals a deeper malaise afflicting the country: the failure to guarantee income, healthcare, and safety for all citizens, including those who have served in the military. This systemic failure breeds a culture of corruption, abuse of power, and desperation, pushing individuals to cling to authority in a bid to secure their futures.
As reported across various media platforms, the land in question had been allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for recreational purposes. The company’s attempt to convert its use to commercial and partition it for sale was a blatant disregard for the original land use agreement. The tension heightened when the FCT Minister declined the request for conversion, reaffirming the land’s designation for public use.
The military’s involvement in guarding the disputed property raises serious questions about their operational mandates. Instead of acting as defenders of national integrity, they became enforcers of private interests, further complicating civil-military relations and highlighting the alarming normalization of military power in civilian affairs.
In a strikingly similar vein, a retired general recently experienced a devastating loss when the Abuja Development Control Agency, led by Mr. Galadima, demolished his garden without prior notice. The general, who had served his country for over 35 years, watched helplessly as his property, worth millions of Naira, was flattened, with scavengers carting away the remnants of his life’s work. The absence of notification and the abruptness of the demolition serve as a poignant reminder of how the erosion of power in old age and retirement can lead to the loss of everything one has worked for throughout their life.
The retired general’s experience encapsulates the broader societal failure to provide citizens, particularly those who have served the nation, with the security and support they deserve in their twilight years. Without a robust social safety net, individuals are left vulnerable to arbitrary actions by authorities, leading to humiliation and despair.
While some commentators have celebrated Yerima’s confrontational stance against Wike, such praise is not only misplaced but also dangerous. This glorification of military defiance to civilian authority overlooks the underlying issues at play, the systemic failures that leave both military and civilian retirees without the safety nets they need. Celebrating defiance against civilian authority only strengthens the notion that military might is a legitimate answer to civil governance, undermining the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
To address these pervasive issues, Nigeria must prioritize the establishment of a comprehensive social security system that guarantees income, healthcare, and safety for all citizens, particularly the elderly. Such a system would not only provide a safety net for retired military personnel and civilians alike but would also serve to reduce the power struggles that arise from desperation and insecurity.
A well-structured social security system would ensure that individuals are not left at the mercy of arbitrary authority or the whims of those in power. It would create an environment where all citizens, regardless of their past service to the nation, can feel secure in their future, thereby fostering a society built on trust, respect, and accountability.
The Wike-Yerima altercation and the plight of the retired general both serve as critical reminders of the fragility of Nigeria’s democracy and the urgent need for systemic reforms. As the nation grapples with its complex history and strives for a more stable democratic future, the establishment of a robust social security system must be a priority. Only then can Nigeria hope to cultivate an environment where military and civilian authorities coexist within a framework of respect for the rule of law, ultimately benefiting all citizens.
Garbs
Nov 14, 2025