Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has weighed in on the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer identified as Lieutenant A.M. Yerima.
In a reflective post on social media titled “Wike versus Naval Officer: A Lesson for National Reflection,” Obi described the encounter as “yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing institutional disorder in our country.”
He said what should have been a “routine civic encounter” had instead become “a national embarrassment — a typical example coming out of a disgraced country.”
The confrontation between Wike and the naval officer occurred in Abuja and quickly went viral, cracking up inflamed passions across the country.
The incident, which portrayed both an appearance of ministerial excess and military insubordination to civil authorities, worried concerned statemen like Obi.
Reacting, Obi said the event should prompt “honest national reflection,” questioning whether the military should be involved in purely civilian matters and if government officials are exceeding their limits in dealing with security agencies.
He asked: “Should the military be used for purely civil operations? Should a Minister’s intervention in such a matter be in such an indecorous manner? Shouldn’t there be clear boundaries between administrative authority and the duties of security agencies?”
‘Institutions Must Be Stronger Than Individuals’
Obi lamented what he described as the fading respect for institutional processes and separation of powers in Nigeria.
He argued that when public officials act outside the boundaries of their offices, it erodes public trust and weakens governance structures.
“When public officials act beyond institutional norms, and when security agencies are used in ways that blur their professional boundaries, we weaken both governance and public trust,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor called for restraint, civility, and humility in public service, insisting that leadership should be defined by example rather than power play.
“We must rebuild a nation where institutions are stronger than individuals; where public office is exercised with humility and restraint; where the dignity of our uniformed officers and the rights of every citizen are upheld,” he added.
A Call to Restore Discipline and Decency
He warned that the culture of impunity and public confrontation among leaders sends the wrong message to Nigeria’s youth about governance and respect for law. He urged a return to “the discipline of law, order, and respect for due process.”
“A country that aspires to greatness and feels insulted when referred to as a disgraced nation must replace the culture of impunity with the discipline of law,” he said.
The presidential hopeful, characteristically, hit at the corrupt political establishment, admonishing that those in public offices with titles like “His Excellency” and “Honourable” must reflect integrity and exemplary conduct, both in and out of office.
Obi’s voice adds to the debate about the event, the exercise of big-man political influence, civil-military relations, the declining ethos of decorum and the worsening culture of impunity in Nigeria’s leadership.
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