When Lt. A.M. Yerima, a young Nigerian naval officer, coolly told the powerful Nyesom Wike, “I am not a fool, sir” during a tense land-dis...
When Lt. A.M. Yerima, a young Nigerian naval officer, coolly told the powerful Nyesom Wike, “I am not a fool, sir” during a tense land-dispute face-off, no one saw the ripple that followed. Suddenly his face was everywhere—and ladies from Lagos to London started lighting up their social feeds with admiration. It’s just like when global star Beyoncé dropped “Lemonade” and the world said, “Yup, confidence wins.”
You know how social media loves a story of poise under pressure? That’s exactly the wave created by Lt. Yerima. The setting: a disputed plot of land in the Gaduwa district of Abuja, a construction site reportedly linked to a former top naval chief. Minister Wike arrived with his team to enforce a stop-work directive. On the other side: Lt. Yerima, part of the naval unit stationed there, quietly holding ground.
What really made the clip go viral was the moment Wike impatiently tried to assert control—and Yerima, unmoved, calmly said he was acting under orders. He dropped the line: “I am not a fool, sir.” That one line made it clear: this wasn’t about politics alone—it became a story of discipline, dignity and defiance dressed in uniform.
Ladies around the world, especially Nigerian social-media users, were quick to notice. Some admiring posts reminded me of when Nigerian actor John Okafor (“Mr Ibu”) unexpectedly trended for kindness, and everyone broke out in praise. In Yerima’s case, women posted comments like “Who gets this soldier’s number?” and “If you are single, maka chi, I will be a good wife.
One young lady said she had actually met Lt. Yerima during a screening at Borokiri, Port Harcourt in 2024. She described how his presence silenced the parade ground, how he held her hand during the endurance run when she faltered. “Man of few words,s but his words carried volume,” she wrote. That kind of personal testimony only added to his appeal—not just as an officer but as a human being with integrity.
It’s not just the women. Civic groups and students also weighed in. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned Wike’s conduct as disrespectful to the uniform, calling Yerima’s composure “exemplary Meanwhile, analysts on X pointed out the officer’s posture, his calm hand-placement, his composure—it all screamed training and resolve.
Of course, it’s not purely hero worship. Some critics say the officer was simply following orders, and the real question is about who ordered what. But the moment caught on because the image of a junior officer standing firm resonated—especially in a country where authority often tilts one way. When global icon Burna Boy released his “Ye” album and sang “Nobody fit blow my mind,” fans immediately echoed: Yes, this one’s unbothered. In a different sphere, Yerima’s act echoed the same message: Not intimidated, still upright.
Social-media jokes surfaced, memes popped up, and even marriage offers. One post asked, “Is he married?” after a video showed Yerima in a car with a woman and a baby—sparking speculation and hearts sighing. Yet someone else’s comment said, “We love him like that. Let them not transfer him to the forest ooo.”
What it all shows is this: when someone carries themselves with dignity—even under pressure—crowds will respond. Whether it’s women seeing a potential partner of character, students seeing a role model, or everyday Nigerians seeing hope for leadership, Lt. Yerima’s moment struck a chord.