Public affairs analyst, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, has weighed in on the viral confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer over a disputed land in Abuja, describing the officer’s conduct as a “direct affront on the authority of the President.”
In a detailed statement shared online, Opara argued that by virtue of Wike’s position as the President’s appointee, the minister carries delegated authority from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“There is a principle in government called ‘Delegated Authority’. By virtue of Wike’s position as the CinC’s Minister of the FCT, he carries his authority and mandate by delegation,” Opara said.
He further stated that if the young Naval officer failed to recognize that the minister represented the President at that moment, “then his training at the NDA is faulty.”
According to Opara, the officer’s action could be interpreted as mutiny, which is a serious offense under military law. “You may not like Wike, but do not undermine the office he represents. It is not in the best interest of civil leadership,” he added.
Opara cautioned against the glorification of military defiance in a democratic setting, stressing that Nigeria must not allow the armed forces to encroach on civil authority.
“We love our military officers, but they must understand their place in a democracy. We can’t concede any inch of our civil space to those who rule by the barrel of the gun. They must remain in the barracks and on the borders working hard to ensure that we are no longer a ‘Country of Particular Concern’,” he said.
