Many Nigerians have criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike for his behavior toward a military officer during an enforcement exercise in Abuja recently.
Some prominent Nigerians who have expressed disapproval include former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, Senator Shehu Sani, former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, among others.
Chidoka said: “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.”
“A formal communication to the Minister of Defence would have sufficed if the officers were acting unlawfully. Trading words with a uniformed officer corrodes discipline and confuses hierarchy.”
“Their responsibility was to extract their principal from a potentially dangerous situation, not to escalate it.”
Shehu Sani said: “Wike is doing an excellent job in Abuja, but he should not be encouraged to do this kind of stunt with soldiers.”
Buratai said: “His public disparagement of a uniformed officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces transcends mere misconduct; it represents a palpable threat to national security and institutional integrity.”
“This action by Wike is clearly an indication of undermining the federal government’s authority.”
“Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing. The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less.”
Also, a coalition of Nigerian military veterans in a statement by its spokesperson, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts said:
“How can a minister call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” If he was responsible, he should have engaged the Chief of Naval Staff privately rather than attempting to disgrace a retired senior officer.”
“If for any reason the officer is punished, military veterans will occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister.”
“Military officers swear loyalty to the nation, not to individual public officials. Wike’s action demeans the dignity of the minister’s office. He should apologise for using abusive language. It is not acceptable behaviour.”