The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has described the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, LT. A.M Yerima, in Abuja as an embarrassment coming from a ‘disgraced nation.’
Reacting in a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, Obi said the confrontation, which has since gone viral, was “yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing institutional disorder in our country.”
He noted that what should have been a routine civic encounter degenerated into “a public spectacle” that exposes deeper governance problems.
He wrote: “The recent needless altercation between the FCT Minister, HE, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer is yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing institutional disorder in our country. What should ordinarily be a routine civic encounter has, once again, become a national embarrassment — a typical example coming out of a ‘disgraced country.’”
The former Anambra governor questioned the increasing involvement of military personnel in purely civil matters and the erosion of due process in public service.
“Should the military be used for purely civil operations? Shouldn’t there be clear boundaries between administrative authority and the duties of security agencies?” he asked.
Obi further stressed that the incident highlights the collapse of respect for institutions and the culture of civility among public officials.
“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,” he said.
He called for a return to lawful conduct and institutional integrity in public affairs, adding that “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.”
Obi urged public office holders to conduct themselves with humility and restraint, saying true leadership is reflected in behaviour that upholds dignity, discipline, and respect for the rule of law.