Samuel Omang
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja, describing it as a “needless embarrassment” and a reflection of Nigeria’s deepening institutional disorder.
Obi, in a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, said the incident was more than a clash of personalities but “a mirror of how governance and public conduct have deteriorated in the country.”
According to him, what should have been a routine civic interaction between a government official and a security operative turned into a public spectacle, once again portraying Nigeria as a “disgraced country” before the world.
“Beyond the personalities involved, this incident raises fundamental questions that demand honest national reflection,” Obi wrote.
“Should the military be used for purely civil operations? Should a Minister’s intervention in such a matter take such an indecorous manner? Shouldn’t there be clear boundaries between administrative authority and the duties of security agencies?”
The former Anambra State governor lamented what he described as the erosion of due process and civility in public service, warning that such repeated incidents only weaken institutions and public trust.
“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 stated.
Peter Obi urged Nigerian leaders to see the confrontation as an opportunity for introspection, stressing that true national growth can only be achieved when institutions are stronger than individuals.
“We must learn from this episode,” he continued. “It is time to rebuild a nation where public office is exercised with humility and restraint, and where the dignity of our uniformed officers and the rights of citizens are upheld.”
He further noted that Nigeria must move beyond the “culture of impunity” and embrace the discipline of law, order, and respect for due process, adding that leadership titles such as “His Excellency,” “Distinguished,” and “Honourable” should reflect integrity, not arrogance.
“To occupy an office and be referred to as His Excellency, Distinguished or Honourable should come with exemplary conduct. Our behaviour in and out of office must reflect the dignity of those titles,” Obi emphasized.
Concluding his post, Peter Obi restated his conviction that a better country remains within reach if leaders embrace responsibility, discipline, and respect for institutional order.
“A New Nigeria is possible,” he affirmed.
The altercation between Nyesom Wike and the naval officer occurred on Tuesday in Abuja over a disputed plot of land allegedly linked to a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd). The incident, captured on video, has since gone viral and stirred widespread debate over the role of security agencies in civil matters and the conduct of government officials.