Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), of directing military interference to rig the 2019 governorship election against him.
Wike made the allegation during a press conference on Thursday at his Gwarinpa residence while reacting to his recent confrontation with a naval officer over a disputed property in Abuja’s Gaduwa District linked to ex-Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.).
Buratai had, on Wednesday, in a post on his verified Facebook account, criticised the minister’s clash with the naval officer, describing Wike’s conduct as a threat to national security.
He described Wike’s conduct during the incident as “a reckless act that transcends mere misconduct” and “undermines the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and the integrity of the Armed Forces.”
Buratai warned that Wike’s outburst “strikes at the core of Nigeria’s command and control structure,” stressing that such public confrontations with uniformed officers could have far-reaching implications for discipline within the Armed Forces.
Responding sharply, Wike accused Buratai of attempting to subvert the electoral process during his 2019 re-election battle.
He said, “He cannot teach me. This was the same man who directed his GOC to rig my election in 2019. He couldn’t rig me. He lost. He told his GOC to kill me. He could not kill me.”