ABUJA/Nigeria: The publisher of Beam News Magazine and National President of Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, Chief Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, has stressed the urgent need for training and retraining of aides attached to government officials following Tuesday’s faceoff between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a military officer in Abuja.
Chief Ndukwe, reacting to the viral incident, described it as a clear reflection of lapses in intelligence and coordination within the minister’s security team. She recalled that in earlier administrations, security aides were better equipped to handle sensitive movements involving their principals.
“I remember the days of Dr. Peter Odili as Governor of Rivers State, how Ade Adeogun as Chief Security Officer and Larry Lawrence Pepple as Chief Detail would always get a security brief before their principal embarked on any visit, official or private. If they advised him of imminent danger, risk, or embarrassment, he would listen. The incident today calls for the training and retraining of aides to government officials,” she said.
Chief Ndukwe emphasized that as a “peculiar and high-profile” Minister, Wike’s movements required proper intelligence gathering and situational awareness before visiting any site, especially those with potential security risks.
“Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, being the Minister of the FCT, ought to have aides who get first-hand information before letting him move to any site, particularly where the situation is tense or volatile,” she stated.
While acknowledging Wike’s strong and fearless disposition, she cautioned that leadership strength should not come at the cost of personal safety. “Even though I know Wike as a strong man who would never rescind his decision to embark on any movement on grounds of threats, he cannot endanger his life just to prove strength. Even President Bola Tinubu had to cancel this year’s Independence Day anniversary on October 1 over suspected security threats,” she noted.
She warned that no government aide should be exposed to danger merely to demonstrate loyalty or courage. “Not even the aides should be in harm’s way just to show bravado,” she cautioned.
Decrying what she described as recurring intelligence failures in government circles, Chief Ndukwe remarked: “This is one of the reasons why we have been heavily challenged by insurgency — lack of intelligence.”
She, however, commended the military officer involved in the incident for maintaining professionalism and discipline despite provocation. “I commend the officer who obeyed the last order of his superior. He acted professionally, was not provoked, and remained disciplined,” she said.
Criticizing the altercation between the minister and the officer, Ndukwe noted that such an exchange was unnecessary and diminished the dignity of public office. “For the Minister, as a representative of the President, the shouting match with the officer was even more demeaning. He could have been caught up in an exchange of fire,” she remarked.
Concluding, Chief Ndukwe called for greater prudence and professionalism from aides and security personnel attached to top officials. “My position is that the aides of the Minister should have advised him better. We need that show of power against bandits, not against fellow combatants. May this not happen again,” she said.
