(DDM) – Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), has criticised the recent public conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, describing it as unbecoming of a government official and a threat to national security.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Buratai’s reaction follows a series of confrontations between Wike and military officers in Abuja, which escalated into public exchanges and raised questions about civil-military relations.
The former army chief, who also served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Republic of Benin, said such altercations undermine the discipline and operational integrity of the armed forces, which are constitutionally tasked with defending the nation.
Buratai cautioned that the military must never be dragged into political disputes or personal showdowns, stressing that any attempt to humiliate or intimidate service members in public could weaken morale and compromise national stability.
He noted that soldiers and officers operate under strict codes of conduct and hierarchical authority, warning that interference by political figures could erode mutual respect between civilian leaders and the defence establishment.
According to him, “the Nigerian military is the symbol of national sovereignty and unity. When politicians engage in confrontations with uniformed men, they not only display poor judgment but also send the wrong signal to the international community.”
The retired general further appealed to the federal government to maintain clear boundaries between political administration and security command structures, emphasizing that national security should never be politicized or personalized.
DDM reports that Buratai’s comments came days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was reported to have publicly backed Lieutenant A.M. Yerima and other officers involved in the recent altercation with the FCT Minister.
The president’s statement, which praised the military for putting their lives on the line to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty, was widely interpreted as a subtle rebuke to Wike’s actions.
Security analysts have also weighed in, warning that repeated public clashes between civil authorities and the armed forces could embolden insubordination or provoke wider unrest within the ranks.
They argue that a stable civil-military relationship remains essential for effective governance, peacekeeping, and internal security operations across Nigeria.
Buratai urged the media and the public to remain vigilant and to promote narratives that support institutional integrity rather than personality clashes, adding that the nation’s unity depends on discipline and mutual respect among all arms of government.
He reaffirmed his confidence in the Nigerian Army’s professionalism but insisted that leaders at all levels must demonstrate restraint and decorum in their dealings with uniformed personnel.
Observers say the ongoing controversy could force the presidency to revisit the boundaries of ministerial authority, especially in relations involving security formations in the capital territory.
Buratai’s statement, analysts note, reflects growing concern among retired officers about the politicization of Nigeria’s security architecture.
