- Dino Melaye has publicly criticized FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, denying that he insulted Navy Lieutenant AM Yerima during a clash over a disputed land.
- Wick was recorded shouting derogatory terms at the officer, which prompted widespread public condemnation.
- In his defense, Vick claimed that his comments had been misinterpreted and that he meant to criticize the officer for carrying out illegal orders rather than insult the military.
- Melaye dismissed Wike’s denial, saying he tried in vain to retract his words.
Former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye has publicly criticized Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike for denying that he insulted a naval officer during a recent confrontation in Abuja.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 11, when Wike inspected a disputed piece of land and ordered construction to stop. Navy Lieutenant AM Yerima and his team were on site protecting workers, which led to a heated exchange in which Wike was clearly heard shouting:
“Shut up, who did this? Can you be quiet? Are you a fool? You are a fool.”
The comments sparked widespread criticism from the public, with many accusing the minister of disrespecting the armed forces.
Vick responded at a press conference on Thursday, November 14, denying insulting the officer, claiming his comments had been misinterpreted. He tried to clarify his statement:
“Someone said I said ‘you’re a fool’ to the boy. I mean, you can’t carry out illegal orders, that’s what I meant. I didn’t say ‘Army, you’re a fool’,” Wick said.
He insisted he valued the sacrifices of his troops and explained that the officer should not have acted in the way he did.
Responding to Wike’s denial on social media, Dino Melaye mocked the minister’s retraction attempt:
“He used eleven microphones to try to deny what he said without a microphone. Wrong spirit na shege,” Melaye wrote.
