...How a minister’s temper became a national classroom on leadership and law
By Evangelist Oladipo Oluwatosin
Nigeria never runs short of drama, but sometimes the stage shifts from the screen to the streets of governance. The recent encounter between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a military officer during a site inspection in Abuja has sparked nationwide debate; not just about temperament, but about the true essence of leadership and protocol.
In what appeared to be a routine official outing, tempers flared and authority clashed with discipline. Wike’s outburst “Get out, you are a fool!”, may have been a moment of impulse, but the reaction of the soldier, calm and unmoved, became a moment of national reflection. Nigerians watched as power met protocol, and the tables of dignity turned unexpectedly.
Social media, ever Nigeria’s modern court of opinion, erupted with divided voices. Some defended Wike’s authority; others hailed the soldier’s composure as the true mark of leadership. Yet beneath the viral memes and heated debates lies a deeper truth: power, without wisdom, quickly becomes weakness.
This feature dives beyond the noise to examine what the law actually says, how order should operate, and what leaders in politics, military, business, and even the home can learn from this very public confrontation. In the words of Proverbs 17:27, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”
The Wike–soldier standoff may have been brief, but its lessons on law, leadership, and emotional intelligence will echo long in Nigeria’s corridors of power.
WIKE: THE BULLDOZER OF ABUJA
Since stepping into the FCT ministry, Wike has made his presence felt like thunder in dry season. Known for his no-nonsense approach, he has demolished illegal structures, reclaimed encroached lands, and tackled corruption within Abuja’s urban system.
But critics say his methods mirror the highhandedness of a political godfather; ruling by decree, not dialogue. His bulldozer style has raised questions: Where does assertiveness end and arrogance begin?
The Land Use Act of 1978 empowers the FCT Minister to manage and allocate lands, but with clear boundaries. When it involves military property or restricted zones, the law demands communication through the Ministry of Defence, not confrontation in the open.
Had Wike simply written to the Defence Minister, who in turn would have notified the Chief of Defence Staff, the military’s compliance would have followed through due process.
As an African proverb says, “A man who fights with the town crier will not hear the king’s message.”
THE LAW AND THE LINE OF COMMAND
Nigeria’s governance and military structures operate under strict hierarchy.
According to Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution, the military’s primary duty is to defend the nation and assist civil authorities “when called upon.” The key phrase “when called upon” means civil authorities must respect the chain of command.
No civilian minister, however powerful, can directly order a soldier on duty without clearance from the Defence Ministry.
As the saying goes, “Even the king drinks water with respect.” Authority must recognize other authorities to preserve order.
WHEN UNIFORMS CLASH: POLICE, MILITARY, AND THE EGO WAR
Nigeria has often witnessed friction among uniformed services; Police vs. Soldiers, Soldiers vs. Naval officers, each guarding its turf. From Taraba to Odi, the cost of such rivalries has been blood and broken trust.
These clashes are symptoms of weak institutional coordination and inflated egos at the top. Civil matters like land allocation or demolition fall under administrative and judicial authority, not military enforcement.
The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 16:32: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” True leadership is not proven in shouting contests but in self-mastery.
PUBLIC VERDICT: THE SOLDIER STOOD, THE MINISTER STUMBLED
Nigerians, with their unmatched sense of humor and justice, watched the scene like a football match. In the public’s eyes, the soldier’s calm defiance became a symbol of dignity under pressure, while the minister’s anger became a mirror of how power intoxicates.
A Yoruba proverb captures it perfectly:
“Agbára ko ni yoba loye, àimọ̀ òrò so ni ń tú ìdí ọba.” (“It is not strength that dethrones a king, but careless speech.”)
In leadership, words are weapons; they can build confidence or destroy credibility.
THE LESSONS: WHAT POWER SHOULD LEARN FROM PROTOCOL
Every drama offers a script of wisdom if we look deeper. Here are lessons every leader; whether in politics, military, business, church, or family must learn:
1. Follow the Chain of Command: Power is not absolute. Respecting procedure keeps authority respected.
2. Watch Your Tongue: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)
3. Humility is Strength: A calm leader wins more loyalty than a loud one.
4. Due Process Protects Power: When you skip protocol, you invite embarrassment.
5. Public Decorum Matters: Leaders are mirrors of the institutions they represent.
6. Emotional Intelligence is Leadership Currency: A wise man said, “The tongue of the wise brings healing, but a fool’s lips bring ruin.”
FROM THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE
To the average Nigerian, the incident wasn’t just another Abuja story — it was a reflection of a country learning how to manage power in public.
The soldier’s restraint offered a rare glimpse of discipline over drama, while Wike’s reaction reminded the nation that anger never built a bridge.
As one commentator quipped, “If Wike wanted a fight, he should have applied for a boxing license, not a ministerial appointment.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: NIGERIA AND ITS DRAMATIC SOUL
Indeed, without Nigerians, the world would be boring. We find laughter in tension, satire in chaos, and lessons in mistakes. Our humor shields our pain, but our conscience remains awake.
This encounter, though fleeting, teaches that power without principle leads to ridicule, and rank without respect leads to rebellion.
Ecclesiastes 10:4 wisely notes:
> “If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.”
That soldier standing still amid insults — did just that. His silence spoke volumes.
FINAL REFLECTION
When a leader forgets protocol, he diminishes his own power. When a soldier remembers discipline, he elevates his nation’s honor.
Let this be a reminder to every Nigerian in power; whether in government, business, or home:
> Power is a guest; wisdom is the landlord. Treat both with respect, and your leadership will endure.
