Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sharply criticized former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), over his remarks regarding a recent confrontation between the minister and a naval officer in Abuja.
Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, Olayinka expressed surprise that Buratai appeared more concerned with the altercation between the FCT Minister and the uniformed officer than with broader security concerns, particularly the deployment of military personnel to roles unrelated to national security.
“When I read the statement by Tukur Buratai, I was like a former Chief of Army Staff is not concerned about talking to a uniformed man. He’s not concerned about military men who should be at the war front,” Olayinka said.
He pointed out that naval officers, who should be deployed to the Chad Basin to confront terrorist threats, are being reassigned to duties such as guarding uncompleted buildings. He questioned the logic of such redeployments, asking, “Which one is a security threat to Nigeria?” His comments underscored his view that the country’s national security priorities are being undermined when trained personnel are diverted from frontline operations to administrative or ceremonial tasks.
Olayinka further argued that the naval officer involved in Tuesday’s confrontation had acted unlawfully, emphasizing the principle that “not all orders are lawful.” He stressed that Minister Wike, in his capacity as FCT Minister, had the right to question the presence of armed personnel on disputed land, especially when their deployment appeared inconsistent with national security objectives.
His remarks were a response to Buratai’s earlier comments warning that the incident between Wike and the naval officer constituted a “clear and present danger to national security.” In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, the former army chief asserted that the minister’s conduct undermined the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and weakened military discipline.
Buratai described the altercation as “a public humiliation of a soldier” and “an attack on the foundation of national order.” He further advised that Minister Wike should issue a public apology to both President Bola Tinubu and the naval officer involved. The former Chief of Army Staff framed the incident as a serious challenge to institutional military norms and the respect accorded to uniformed officers.
However, Olayinka countered this perspective, insisting that the minister acted within his rights and highlighted broader concerns over military deployment practices. According to him, the focus on a single confrontation diverts attention from more pressing security issues. By stressing the misallocation of military personnel, Olayinka argued that attention should instead be directed toward ensuring that soldiers and naval officers are positioned where they are most needed, particularly in regions affected by insurgency and terrorism.
Olayinka’s response reflects a growing discourse on the role of military personnel in public administration versus their primary responsibility of safeguarding national security. He emphasized that leadership and oversight at the ministerial level should not be construed as undermining military authority when actions are taken in the interest of legality and public safety.
The exchange between Buratai and Wike’s team highlights tensions between civil oversight and military conduct, raising questions about appropriate boundaries and accountability for uniformed officers deployed within the capital. It also underscores the importance of ensuring that military resources are optimally deployed to safeguard citizens and national security rather than being reassigned to duties that may have limited strategic impact.
Olayinka concluded by reiterating his support for Minister Wike, maintaining that his actions were lawful and justified. The incident has sparked national conversation about the role of military personnel in civilian spaces and the need for clear protocols in handling disputes involving government officials and uniformed officers.
