Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has weighed in on the viral altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a military officer in Abuja, urging Wike to publicly apologize for what he described as “unacceptable behaviour.”
The clash, which occurred on Tuesday, was captured in a viral video showing Wike arguing with a soldier who stopped him from accessing a disputed parcel of land in the capital city.
Reacting in a statement, Chidoka faulted Wike’s conduct, saying it undermined the principles of democratic governance and disrespected institutional authority.
He noted that the FCT Minister’s decision to personally confront the officer instead of following due process was “a fundamental misstep” in a constitutional democracy.
“Any law enforcement officer, in uniform or plain clothes, represents the President and the sovereignty of the Nigerian State. To abuse such an officer is to diminish the authority of the Republic itself,” Chidoka stated.
He added that democracy functions through established institutions, not personal impulse, and that even when grievances arise, Government officials must act within the limits of their office.
“In constitutional democracies, power operates through institutions, not impulse. No matter how justified a grievance, a Minister cannot become an enforcer; that violates the very idea of ordered Government,” he added.
Chidoka stressed that if Wike believed the soldiers’ presence on the land was improper, he should have raised the matter through the Minister of Defence, who oversees the Armed Forces, rather than confronting a uniformed officer publicly.
He concluded by urging Wike to apologize to the officer involved, saying that doing so would uphold respect for the rule of law and reinforce the dignity of public office.