Peter Obi has condemned the public confrontation between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, calling it a troubling reflection of Nigeria’s deepening institutional disorder and erosion of civic discipline.
He said the episode once again exposes the breakdown of respect among public officials and security agencies that should ordinarily embody national values and professionalism.
Obi stressed that the altercation was not just a personal exchange but a broader sign of how governance and public order are being undermined by growing indiscipline and disregard for due process.
The former Anambra governor, who described the encounter as “a national embarrassment that typifies the crisis of governance,” expressed his concern in a statement shared on his official X handle on Wednesday.
Obi urged Nigerian leaders to rebuild a system in which institutions remain stronger than individuals and where humility and discipline are the hallmarks of leadership.
According to him, “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.
