The recent controversy surrounding the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, reportedly calling or directing an army personnel during an official engagement, has once again brought to the fore the delicate balance between civil authority and military professionalism in Nigeria’s democracy.
While the minister, by virtue of his position, holds significant administrative powers, it is important to underscore that such powers must always be exercised within the bounds of democratic norms and institutional respect.
Calling upon military personnel for civil or political purposes,whether in appearance or substance, sends the wrong signal in a nation striving to strengthen its democratic ethos.
Nigeria’s Constitution clearly delineates the roles of the armed forces: to defend the territorial integrity of the nation and to assist in maintaining law and order only under lawful civil authority.
Any action that blurs this line risks undermining the professional independence of the military and eroding public trust in democratic institutions.
Public officers, especially ministers, must therefore act not only within the law but also in a manner that reflects restraint, discipline, and respect for institutional boundaries.
Leadership, after all, is not about exercising power for its own sake but about modeling the values that sustain good governance.
For a man of Wike’s political stature and experience, this moment provides an opportunity to demonstrate statesmanship, by reaffirming his commitment to civil authority, transparency, and democratic accountability.
Nigeria’s democracy grows stronger only when those at the helm of affairs choose responsibility over impulsiveness and respect over control.
The lesson here is clear: leadership is not about command, it is about conduct.
