By Benjamin Christian
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja, describing it as a symptom of Nigeria’s weakening institutions and the erosion of respect for due process.
In a statement posted on his X handle and titled “Wike versus Naval Officer: A Lesson for National Reflection,” the former Anambra State governor said the altercation was more than a personal disagreement. He described it as a national embarrassment that exposed how public power and civic duty have increasingly lost the discipline of law and order.
“What should ordinarily be a simple civic exchange has become a national spectacle — a reflection of how far we’ve drifted from institutional order and respect for procedure,” Obi said.
He questioned the routine deployment of military personnel for civil functions and the tendency of political officeholders to interfere in matters governed by established administrative processes.
“Should the military be used for purely civil operations? Should a Minister’s intervention occur in such an indecorous manner? Why are our uniformed men and women constantly drawn into civilian disputes?” he asked.
Obi argued that when leaders disregard institutional boundaries, they undermine governance and weaken public confidence in the system. “If our institutions worked as they should, would tempers flare in situations that hierarchy and clear procedure ought to resolve?” he added.
He further warned that the recurring breakdown of civility in public service sends the wrong message to younger generations, stressing the need to restore discipline, humility, and respect for due process across all levels of governance.
“A nation that feels insulted when called a disgraced country must first learn to replace impunity with order, law, and respect for institutions,” Obi said.
The Labour Party flag bearer also called on public officials to embody the values reflected in their titles, noting that honourable conduct must match the prestige of office.
“To occupy an office and be referred to by titles such as His Excellency, Distinguished, or Honourable, how we attain and conduct ourselves in or out of it must reflect those values,” he stated.
Reaffirming his call for institutional reform, Obi urged Nigerians to treat the episode as a wake-up call to rebuild a system where institutions are stronger than individuals.
“We must learn from this episode. A new Nigeria — one anchored on discipline, humility, and respect for the rule of law — is still possible,” he concluded.
