𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 — 𝐒𝐨𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐞

Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and military personnel over a disputed land in Abuja.

Sowore described the military’s decision to bar a government official from accessing the land as a “misplaced priority” and argued that the military should focus on national security rather than enforcing personal or political disputes.

In a statement, he said, “The military’s role is to protect the citizens and uphold national security. Allowing itself to be used in local land disputes undermines its purpose and diminishes public trust.”

The incident, which drew national attention through circulating videos, shows a tense exchange between Wike and soldiers at the contested site. Sowore called for calm and urged that such matters be resolved through proper legal and administrative channels instead of military involvement.

He further stressed the importance of accountability and adherence to the rule of law, warning that the politicisation of the military could have far-reaching consequences for democracy and public confidence in state institutions.