Human Rights Lawyer Urges Wike to Apologize, Says Presidency Can’t Ignore Naval Clash

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has weighed in on the recent clash between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and naval officer Lt. A.M. Yerima, calling for accountability and urging the federal government to address the matter publicly.

In a recent interview, Falana questioned the silence from the Presidency, noting that more than four days had passed without an official response. He argued that the issue is too serious to be ignored, especially since two federal ministers have already spoken out in support of Lt. Yerima, revealing a possible split within the cabinet.

“Two ministers have publicly supported the action of Lt. Yerima without considering the implications of turning him into a guard,” Falana said. He added that several retired military leaders have also backed Yerima and called for Wike to be cautioned.

Falana criticized Wike’s reported insult toward the officer, saying many Nigerians believe the minister crossed a line by calling Lt. Yerima a “fool.” He noted that Wike appeared visibly upset during the incident and even hinted at stepping down if President Tinubu didn’t intervene.

To highlight the importance of public accountability, Falana recalled past incidents where officials in other countries were made to apologize for inappropriate remarks. He cited a 2011 case in Ghana where a minister had to retract offensive comments about taxi drivers, and a 2014 incident in the UK where a top politician apologized after calling police officers “plebs.”

Although Wike has denied using the word “fool,” Falana believes an apology is still necessary. “It’s clear he probably regrets the comment,” he said, adding that a sincere apology would help ease tensions and show respect for civil-military relations.