The statement, “Some people are saying that I told the naval officer ‘You’re a fool’, it’s not true, I never said so”, was made by Nigerian FCT (Federal Capital Territory) Minister Nyesom Wike, who was addressing a recent viral video and public allegations of him verbally abusing a naval officer.
The incident involved an altercation between Wike and the naval officer, identified as Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja. The situation, which occurred around November 11, 2025, sparked significant controversy online, with many social media users criticizing the minister’s perceived high-handedness and lack of respect for military personnel.
In response to the backlash and widespread accusations, Wike clarified his comments during a public appearance, completely denying that he used the specific insulting phrase directed at the officer’s person.
He stated that what he meant was that the officer was following “an illegal order”, not that the “military, you’re a fool”. Wike emphasized his support for the security agencies and their efforts in fighting insurgency, insisting that the rumors were just “people talking junk”
