By Hon. Comrade James Onifade 
On November 11, 2025, the very heart of Nigeria’s capital witnessed an ugly scene that has sent shockwaves through the nation.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, engaged in a heated confrontation with a uniformed Nigerian soldier during an enforcement operation at a disputed plot of land in Gaduwa, Abuja.
Before the watching eyes of civilians and security personnel, Wike lost every ounce of composure, verbally assaulting the young officer and calling him “a big fool.”
His words, caught on camera, have since gone viral and with good reason. It was not just an argument, it was a national embarrassment.
A Moment of Madness on Public Duty
Eyewitness reports reveal that Wike, accompanied by officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), arrived at the disputed site and was denied access by military personnel guarding the land allegedly linked to a retired Chief of Naval Staff. The soldiers insisted they were acting under orders.
But rather than exercise restraint, the minister erupted in fury, trading words with a uniformed officer and shouting, “You are a fool! A very big fool!”
The officer later identified as Lieutenant Yerima stood his ground. Calm but firm, he replied: “Sir, I will not shut up. I am not a fool.”
In that moment, the young officer displayed the discipline, emotional intelligence, and leadership expected of a Nigerian soldier. Wike, in contrast, displayed the arrogance of a man intoxicated by power.
A Blow to National Security and Discipline
Let us be clear: a minister publicly insulting a serving officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces is not a trivial outburst. It is a direct attack on the integrity of our national security architecture.
The military operates on respect and hierarchy. When a minister who serves under the Commander-in-Chief humiliates a soldier in uniform, he erodes the very command structure that keeps our armed forces cohesive. It undermines morale, weakens discipline, and sends a dangerous signal that politicians can demean the uniform at will.
This is not governance. It is reckless endangerment of national order.
The Military’s Measured Response
In the aftermath, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General O.O. Oluyede, issued a calm but pointed statement. He praised Lieutenant Yerima’s professionalism and composure under provocation, noting that officers of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) are trained for leadership, not docility.
The CDS described Wike’s outburst as unbecoming of a public official and reminded leaders that civility and restraint are the hallmarks of true authority. His words struck at the heart of the issue: leadership is not about shouting the loudest, but about acting with integrity.
Wike’s Spirit of Unchecked Power
What happened in Gaduwa was not an isolated incident. It was the manifestation of Wike’s long-standing political arrogance , the spirit of one who cannot be challenged, who believes opposition is insolence, and who confuses fear for respect.
This is the same attitude that tore through his own political party, the PDP, where he sabotaged its structure and principles for personal interest and pocket enrichment.
Today, in a desperate bid for relevance, he has aligned with the APC, betraying his former allies and exposing himself as a man whose loyalty begins and ends with himself.
But Wike should take heed: power is transient. The seat he occupies today will not protect him tomorrow. His words on that day have already started writing the obituary of his political career. What remains of his public reputation is fast fading into oblivion.
Lessons from Sanwo-Olu and Others
We have seen this movie before. In 2022, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu confronted a soldier who violated traffic laws. But unlike Wike, Sanwo-Olu handled the situation with firmness and dignity. He enforced order without desecrating the uniform.
That is the difference between leadership and showmanship.
Leadership commands respect; showmanship demands submission.
Sanwo-Olu earned public praise. Wike, on the other hand, has earned national condemnation.
A Call for Apology and Reflection
Nyesom Wike owes the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Commander-in-Chief, and indeed the Nigerian people a public apology. Leadership demands restraint, wisdom, and respect for institutions — not impulsive outbursts or displays of arrogance. No civilian authority gains legitimacy by demeaning those who wear the uniform to defend our flag.
If Wike had genuine concerns or grievances, the proper course of action would have been to document them, report them to the Chief of Army Staff, and allow due process to take its course. Instead, he chose the path of confrontation , a primitive approach unbecoming of someone who aspires to national relevance. Such conduct reflects the hallmark of a man intoxicated by the illusion of invincibility.
As the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike holds a position equivalent to that of a state governor. A worthy example can be seen in our amiable Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who, despite being the chief custodian of lands in his domain under the Land Use Act, would never personally parade himself over any land in dispute.
The appropriate procedure is clear: the relevant government agencies handle such matters, and if necessary, take the issue to court. In that process, the complainant becomes the state versus the supposed owner , not a personal battle led by the governor. That is the only lawful and dignified context in which a minister or governor should intervene.
If Wike truly wishes to be regarded as an elder statesman, he must first act like one. Respect, humility, and discipline not arrogance or bluster are the true marks of leadership.
The Final Word
This incident is more than a personal failure; it is a reflection of a wider sickness in Nigerian politics a culture of impunity where public servants mistake power for ownership.
But let this be known: no one is above the law, not even a minister of the FCT. And no amount of shouting can drown out the truth that the Nigerian uniform still commands more honour than political ego ever will.
Wike should also remember that Power is fleeting and Honour is eternal. Wike should choose which side of history he wants to stand on.