Wike should apologise to soldier, not undermine institutions – Chidoka

Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to tender an unreserved apology to the military officer with whom he had a heated confrontation in Abuja.

The appeal followed a viral video on Tuesday showing Wike in a tense altercation with a soldier who reportedly stopped his convoy from entering a disputed plot of land within the capital city.

Also, the incident, which quickly spread across social media, drew widespread public scrutiny.

In a strongly worded statement, Chidoka faulted Wike’s handling of the situation, describing it as a show of impulsive leadership inconsistent with democratic principles.

According to him, Wike’s decision to personally confront the officer was “a regrettable overreach that undermines institutional authority.”

He explained that public officers are expected to operate through laid-down procedures rather than resort to direct enforcement.

“In a democracy, power flows through institutions, not through emotion or impulse,” Chidoka stated.

“No minister should ever act as both lawmaker and enforcer; doing so erodes the very structure of governance.”

The former minister further noted that the uniformed personnel at the scene were not acting as individuals but as representatives of the Nigerian state.

“To publicly berate or challenge an officer on duty is to weaken the respect owed to the Republic itself,” he added.

Chidoka advised that if Wike had any concerns regarding the soldiers’ presence, he should have taken the matter up through the Ministry of Defence rather than confronting the officer in public.

He maintained that due process, not confrontation, should guide the actions of those in public office.

“The FCT minister owes the military institution and Nigerians an apology,” Chidoka said. “Leadership demands restraint, even when one believes they are right.”

The clash has since reignited debate over the boundaries of ministerial authority and the need for political leaders to uphold decorum in their dealings with security agencies.