A civil society coalition has issued a strong warning following the reported clash between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a senior naval officer. The group emphasized that incidents of this nature risk eroding respect for civil authority and could destabilize the delicate balance between civilian leadership and military institutions.
The group expressed alarm that confrontations between political leaders and military officers could send dangerous signals about the hierarchy of authority in a democratic system.
Both parties were urged to exercise restraint and uphold professionalism, ensuring that disagreements are resolved through lawful and institutional channels.
The coalition reminded stakeholders that Nigeria’s Constitution places civilian authority above military command, a principle that must be safeguarded at all times.
The group encouraged constructive engagement between government officials and security agencies to prevent future conflicts and maintain public confidence.
The coalition announced plans to engage with both the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory and the Defence Headquarters to promote dialogue.
A public awareness campaign will be launched to educate citizens on the importance of civil authority in democratic governance.