Nyesom Wike News: Wike: 'We Are Deploying A Military Man Being Paid By Taxpayers To Defend A Plot Of Land' -Marindoti
Published on: 11/15/2025
By nyesomwike.news
Public affairs analyst Dr. Olumide Marindoti has reiterated that the deployment of Lieutenant A.M. Yerima to defend a disputed plot of land on behalf of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd.) against the FCT Minister constitutes a clear violation of Nigeria’s Constitution. Speaking in an interview with TVC,
He condemned what he described as the unlawful use of military personnel for private interests at a time when the nation faces severe security crises.
Dr. Marindoti questioned why a serving soldier, funded by taxpayers, would be assigned to protect land belonging to a private citizen, especially one who no longer holds public office. He said such actions weaken public confidence in the military’s neutrality and raise concerns about growing lawlessness. Citing widespread insecurity — killings in the Middle Belt, terrorism in the North, and rampant kidnappings — he argued that military manpower should not be diverted to matters outside its mandate.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution and the Armed Forces Act give only one individual the authority to deploy military personnel: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the commander-in-chief. Any deployment not sanctioned by the presidency, he said, is unconstitutional and undermines democratic governance.
Dr. Marindoti warned that using soldiers to protect private land interests reflects a worrying trend of military overreach into civilian affairs. He argued that the incident demonstrates how some military actors continue to operate outside their lawful boundaries, sometimes oppressing civilians or obstructing civil authorities.
He called for strict adherence to constitutional provisions to prevent further erosion of democratic institutions, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford practices that place the military above civil law or allow individuals to use state resources for personal gain.
He condemned what he described as the unlawful use of military personnel for private interests at a time when the nation faces severe security crises.
Dr. Marindoti questioned why a serving soldier, funded by taxpayers, would be assigned to protect land belonging to a private citizen, especially one who no longer holds public office. He said such actions weaken public confidence in the military’s neutrality and raise concerns about growing lawlessness. Citing widespread insecurity — killings in the Middle Belt, terrorism in the North, and rampant kidnappings — he argued that military manpower should not be diverted to matters outside its mandate.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution and the Armed Forces Act give only one individual the authority to deploy military personnel: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the commander-in-chief. Any deployment not sanctioned by the presidency, he said, is unconstitutional and undermines democratic governance.
Dr. Marindoti warned that using soldiers to protect private land interests reflects a worrying trend of military overreach into civilian affairs. He argued that the incident demonstrates how some military actors continue to operate outside their lawful boundaries, sometimes oppressing civilians or obstructing civil authorities.
He called for strict adherence to constitutional provisions to prevent further erosion of democratic institutions, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford practices that place the military above civil law or allow individuals to use state resources for personal gain.