PANDEF Calls for National Apology Over Wike's Encounter with Naval Officer
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has declared that Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike deserves a national apology following his recent confrontation with a naval officer that prevented him from performing his official duties.
In a strong statement released on Thursday, November 13, the apex socio-political body of the South-South geo-political zone demanded that President Bola Tinubu order a comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensure appropriate sanctions for those involved.
Preserving Civil Authority and Military Professionalism
Ambassador Godknows Igali, the National Chairman of PANDEF, emphasized that such disciplinary action is crucial for maintaining professionalism within the military and safeguarding respect for established civil authority. He described this respect as the fundamental basis for building a stable and vibrant democracy where the rule of law consistently prevails.
Igali insisted that Minister Wike must receive full protection from such overzealous actions as he continues to execute his assigned responsibilities with personal dedication and enthusiasm.
Affront to Presidential Authority
The PANDEF leader strongly emphasized that the naval officer's conduct represented not merely a personal insult to Wike, but constituted a public display of disrespect toward the office of the President. He noted that the presidential powers delegated to the FCT Minister were openly mocked during the incident.
Ambassador Igali expressed deep concern about the growing social media celebration of the naval officer's behavior, who was reportedly acting under instructions from a retired Service Chief.
The retired Chief should have known better that Wike warrants proper respect as a member of the Federal Executive Council and as the President's direct representative concerning all matters related to the Federal Capital Territory under his jurisdiction.
Igali lamented, "Chief Wike, CON, without doubt, one of the best performing Ministers in this administration, deserves to be treated with much more respect and decorum."
He concluded that "The Minister of the FCT deserves an unconditional apology from the leadership of the Nigerian Navy on behalf of its former Head and the helpless young officer involved in the horrible spectacle which was an act outside its core mandate of protecting the territorial integrity of the country."
The forum strongly condemned the practice of deploying junior military personnel for illegal duties such as guarding unoccupied personal properties, emphasizing that such misuse of personnel must not be tolerated regardless of the restraint shown by the officers involved.
