Chidoka to Wike: Respect Institutions, Apologise to Officer Over Verbal Abuse Incident

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has advised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to tender an apology to a law enforcement officer allegedly subjected to verbal abuse during a recent confrontation at a disputed site in Abuja.

Chidoka, in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page yesterday, said the incident was regrettable and contrary to the decorum expected of public officials. He noted that every officer—whether in uniform or plain clothes—represents the authority of the Nigerian state and the office of the President.

“To abuse such an officer is to diminish the authority of the Republic itself,” the former aviation minister stated.

He faulted Wike’s decision to personally enforce directives at the site, describing it as “a fundamental misstep” in governance. According to him, in a constitutional democracy, ministers are expected to act through established institutions and lawful procedures, not by direct confrontation.

“In a democracy, ministers act through process, not presence,” Chidoka said. “A simple communication to the Minister of Defence would have sufficed to address any issues regarding the officers’ presence on the site.”

He added that if the officers had acted unlawfully, proper disciplinary channels within the military could have addressed the matter.

Chidoka warned that public altercations between ministers and uniformed officers risk undermining discipline and confusing the chain of command. “The officer’s duty is to obey orders through his superior officers, not verbal instructions on the roadside,” he explained. “Similarly, the minister’s duty is to act through lawful means, not confrontation.”

He also criticised the conduct of the Department of State Services (DSS) personnel attached to the minister, saying their role was to de-escalate tensions and protect their principal, not to inflame conflict. “Security details must remember that their loyalty is to the state, not to individuals,” he cautioned.

Chidoka described the episode as “a cautionary tale for those in authority,” stressing that it undermined the dignity of the ministerial office and portrayed governance in poor light.

He concluded by urging Wike to apologise to the officer involved, saying: “No act of leadership is too big to be accompanied by humility. Apologising would reaffirm respect for institutions and the rule of law.”