Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent confrontation with a uniformed naval officer in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Chidoka said Wike’s actions during the altercation were inappropriate and undermined the authority of the Nigerian state.

According to him, every law enforcement officer in uniform represents the sovereignty of the nation, and any form of abuse against such an officer “diminishes the authority of the Republic.”

Chidoka described Wike’s decision to personally enforce a directive at a disputed site as “a fundamental misstep,” stressing that executive power in a constitutional democracy must be exercised through lawful processes and established institutions.

“In a democracy, ministers act through process, not presence. A formal communication to the Minister of Defence would have sufficed. If the officers were on illegal duty, the established disciplinary systems would have addressed it,” he said.

The former minister noted that it was improper for a serving minister to assume the role of an enforcer of directives, warning that such behaviour “violates the very idea of ordered government.”

“When a minister trades words with a uniformed officer acting under orders — lawful or otherwise — it corrodes discipline and confuses hierarchy,” Chidoka added.

He urged Wike to tender an apology to the naval officer for using abusive language, describing the minister’s conduct as “unacceptable.”

Chidoka also faulted the actions of the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives attached to Wike, saying their duty was to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety of their principal, not to heighten the situation.

He reminded all security personnel that their loyalty should remain with the Nigerian state and not with individual officeholders.

“This episode demeans the dignity of the office of the minister and undermines the image of disciplined governance,” Chidoka said.