Thursday, November 13, 2025 - The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has described the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja as an embarrassment coming from a ‘disgraced nation.’
In a statement shared on social media, Obi said the
altercation was “yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing
institutional disorder in our country.”
According to him, what should have been a routine civic
encounter degenerated into “a public spectacle” that exposes deeper governance
problems.
He wrote;
‘’Wike
versus Naval Officer: A Lesson for National Reflection
The recent
needless altercation between the FCT Minister, HE, Barr. Nyesom Wike and a
Naval officer are yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing
institutional disorder in our country. What should ordinarily be a routine
civic encounter has, once again, become a national embarrassment— a typical
example coming out of a 'disgraced country'
Beyond the
personalities involved, this incident raises fundamental questions that demand
honest national reflection:
Should the
military be used for purely civil operations? If proper protocols were in
place, 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?
What does
this say about our respect for institutions and the separation of powers? Why
are our men and women in uniform so often drawn into civilian disputes? Why has
the culture of due process and civility given way to public spectacle and
confrontation? If our institutions worked as they should, would tempers flare
in situations that should be handled by clear procedure and hierarchy? Above
all, what example do incidents like this set for our younger generation about
leadership, discipline, and the rule of law?
These are
not just questions about one incident - they go to the very heart of how our
nation is governed. 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.
We must
learn from this episode. It is time to 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.
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, order,
and respect for due process.
Repeatedly,
I have maintained that to occupy an office and be referred to as His
Excellency, Distinguished or Honourable, how we get to such an office and our
character and behaviour while holding it or out of it should reflect such
exemplary titles in all ramifications.''
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