The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi has reacted to the recent debacle between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a Navy Lieutenant, AM Yerima over a piece of land in the Gaduwa area of Abuja.
In a post made on X on Wednesday and titled, “Wike versus Naval Officer: A Lesson for National Reflection”, Obi described the verbal altercation between Wike and Yerima as needless.
He also said that such action is an unfortunate reflection of the growing institutional disorder in Nigeria where something which should ordinarily be a routine civic encounter has, once again, become a national embarrassment – a typical example coming out of a ‘disgraced country’
According to Obi, beyond the personalities involved – Wike, a minister and Yerima, a Navy officer who was at the incident representing his boss, a former Chief of Navy Staff, Vice Admiral Gambo – the incident raises fundamental questions that demand honest national reflection:
He also queried why the military should use its personnel for civil operations and if the right protocols were in place, should a Minister’s intervention in such a matter be in such an indecorous manner?
The former governor further stated that there should 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,” Obi wrote on X.
He also noted that any country that aspires to greatness and feels insulted when referred to as a disgraced nation must ensure it makes efforts to replace the culture of impunity with the discipline of law, order, and respect for due process.
He said, “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,” Obi said.