..as Lucky Irabor warns against disrespect to state authority
By Obinna Uballa
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has demanded a national apology to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following his recent confrontation with a naval officer, Lt. A.M. Yerima in Abuja, describing the incident as an affront on civil authority and the office of the President.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, urged President Bola Tinubu to order a full investigation into the altercation and sanction those involved to preserve discipline within the armed forces and uphold respect for constituted authority.
Igali condemned what he described as a “disturbing display of insubordination” by the naval personnel, allegedly acting on the orders of a retired Service Chief, insisting that the conduct amounted to public ridicule of the President’s delegated authority vested in the FCT Minister.
“Chief Wike, CON, without doubt, one of the best performing Ministers in this administration, deserves to be treated with much more respect and decorum,” Igali said. “He must be protected from acts of overzealousness as he continues to discharge his duties with passion and commitment.”
The PANDEF leader further criticised the growing social media “glamourisation” of the naval officer’s conduct, warning that such narratives undermine the principles of governance and discipline in the armed forces.
He called on the Nigerian Navy to tender an unconditional apology to Wike on behalf of its leadership and the young officer involved, stressing that “using innocent junior military personnel for illegal private duties such as guarding unoccupied land is unacceptable and outside the Navy’s core mandate.”
Igali emphasised that sustained respect for civil authority was vital for Nigeria’s democracy, adding that, “This incident, if unchecked, erodes the boundaries of command and weakens the very foundation of our democratic order.”
Meanwhile, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), has weighed in on the controversy, cautioning that any public act of disrespect toward uniformed officers represents an insult to state authority itself.
Speaking on Thursday at the 21st All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC 2025) in Abuja, Irabor said the uniform of the armed forces symbolises the power and dignity of the Nigerian state, not just the individual wearing it.
“The uniform is not about who is wearing it; it represents the authority of the state,” Irabor declared. “Whether it’s a young officer or a senior one, any act of disparagement against them is a slight on the state.”
He warned that misinterpretations of the incident could further polarise the public, urging Nigerians to maintain a balance between holding security officers accountable and respecting their institutional authority.
“Even as a General, I cannot slap my soldier. If I do, I will face disciplinary action,” Irabor noted. “But we must never allow the symbols of state authority to be ridiculed. That’s what sustains order in a civilised society.”
The retired defence chief also criticised the erosion of civic education in Nigeria, blaming it for growing ignorance about institutional respect and the rule of law. He urged the media to avoid sensationalism in covering national security issues, warning that “reckless commentary can weaken the moral fabric of the nation.”
