Abuja, Nigeria—Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has publicly called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to issue a public apology to the Naval officer he insulted during a heated confrontation over a land dispute in Abuja.¹

The clash, which occurred on Tuesday at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, involved Wike and armed Naval personnel guarding a property allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.² A viral video captured the FCT Minister expressing outrage and verbally insulting the officer.³

Chidoka: Insulting Officer Undermines the State

In a statement shared on his social media page on Tuesday, Chidoka, a governance expert, criticized Wike's conduct, arguing that such behavior undermines the principles of democratic governance and the authority of the state.⁴

"To insult such an officer is to diminish the authority of the Republic itself," Chidoka stated.⁵ "Every security or law enforcement officer, whether in uniform or plain clothes, represents the authority of the President and the Nigerian state."⁶

He stressed that a Minister's role in a democracy is to act through institutional channels and lawful instruments, not through personal confrontation or engaging in roadside arguments with uniformed officers who are operating under orders.⁷

Call for Institutional Process

Chidoka argued that Wike's decision to personally enforce a directive at the disputed site was a "fundamental misstep." He suggested that the appropriate course of action for the Minister would have been to address any concerns through a formal communication to the Minister of Defence, who oversees the Armed Forces.⁸

The former Minister's call for an apology is echoed by other groups, including a Coalition of Military Veterans, who also issued a statement condemning Wike for using abusive language against the uniformed officer and demanding an apology.⁹

Other Reactions: A Threat to National Security

The incident has drawn strong reactions across the political and military sphere:

• Former Army Chief's Warning: Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), a former Chief of Army Staff, warned that Wike's clash with the officer represents a "clear and present danger to national security." Buratai called on President Bola Tinubu to treat the matter seriously, urging Wike to issue an "immediate and unequivocal public apology" to the President, the Armed Forces, and the officer involved.¹⁰

• Wike Vows to Resist Intimidation: Minister Wike, however, has stood by his action, condemning the use of military personnel to intimidate government officials.¹¹ He vowed that his administration would not be deterred from enforcing development control and tackling illegal structures in the FCT.

The debate now centers on the limits of executive power and the respect for military institutions in the face of alleged abuse of power by retired public officials.