By James Aduku Odaudu
In any democracy worthy of its name, the rule of law stands as the most important pillar holding the entire structure of governance together. It is the invisible thread that binds authority with accountability, power with restraint, and privilege with responsibility. Once that thread is broken, what remains is not democracy, but a theatre of impunity.
Recent reports of a confrontation between a serving minister and a military officer on lawful duty have once again brought this principle into sharp focus.
Though details of the incident may vary across different media platforms, what is clear is that an altercation occurred—one that has left Nigerians debating not only the conduct of those involved but also what it says about our collective respect for the rule of law.
• No One Is Above the Law
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) is unambiguous: every citizen, regardless of office or status, is equal before the law. Ministers, soldiers, governors, and ordinary citizens are all bound by the same legal and moral codes. That is the essence of constitutional democracy.
When a public officer—especially one occupying a ministerial position—engages in confrontation with an officer carrying out legitimate duties, it raises troubling questions. Does the authority conferred by public office include the right to intimidate or obstruct other agents of the state? Or are we witnessing the gradual erosion of the principle that power must always submit to law?
The issue is not merely about personal conduct; it is about institutional integrity. Ministers represent the executive arm of government, while military and security officers embody state discipline and lawful order.
A clash between these two symbols of authority is not just embarrassing—it sends the wrong message about how power is understood and exercised in Nigeria.
• Rule of Law Versus Rule of Personality
The English constitutional scholar A.V. Dicey, writing as far back as 1885, described the rule of law as the antithesis of arbitrary power. It means that no one can act outside the law, and every exercise of power must have legal justification. But Nigeria has struggled with this ideal. Too often, public office is mistaken for personal privilege, and authority is exercised not through institutions but through individuals.
When public officials confront or belittle law enforcement officers in public, they inadvertently affirm the rule of personality over the rule of law. The act may seem small—an argument at a checkpoint, a refusal to submit to security screening—but its symbolic weight is immense. It suggests that those who make or enforce laws are not themselves willing to obey them. That is how institutions crumble.
• A Fragile Balance of Power
Civil-military relations in Nigeria are delicate, shaped by decades of military rule and the slow journey toward democratic consolidation.
Since 1999, successive governments have tried to professionalize the armed forces and ensure they operate strictly under civilian authority. But “civilian control” does not mean civilian impunity. It means that the military must obey lawful orders from constituted authorities—not that political appointees can interfere with or undermine security personnel on duty.
A serving minister’s confrontation with a soldier or officer on legitimate assignment blurs this line. It creates the impression of a hierarchy of privilege rather than a hierarchy of law. For a country still healing from the scars of authoritarianism, such incidents risk reopening old wounds.
The military is a disciplined institution. Its personnel are trained to respect authority but also to obey lawful orders within a chain of command. When a civilian authority figure challenges that chain in an unlawful or disrespectful manner, it can provoke resentment and confusion. Worse still, it can erode mutual respect between civilian leaders and the security services—an essential ingredient of democratic stability.
• Ethics and Public Decorum
Public office in Nigeria is guided by a clear ethical framework: the Public Service Rules, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
These documents emphasize decorum, integrity, and respect for the institutions of the state. A minister’s conduct, whether in public or private, must reflect these values.
When a minister behaves in a way that appears to undermine another lawful authority, it raises ethical red flags. Was the confrontation an act of ego or a misunderstanding of protocol? Either way, it violates the spirit of public service. Power must never be exercised in anger or arrogance. It must be guided by reason, respect, and restraint.
• The Court of Public Opinion
In the age of smartphones and social media, every public action is potentially a national spectacle. Nigerians are quick to judge, and often rightly so, because they have grown weary of leaders who preach accountability but practice impunity. When a high-ranking official is seen berating a soldier or police officer, the optics are disastrous. It reinforces the notion that there are two sets of rules—one for the powerful and another for the powerless.
Public confidence in government institutions is already fragile. Every act of misconduct by those in power chips away at that trust. Conversely, prompt and transparent handling of such incidents—through internal review, public apology, or disciplinary measures—can help restore faith in the system.
The government must therefore demonstrate that no one, not even a minister, is above the law. Silence or evasion only deepens cynicism and damages the credibility of the administration as a whole.
• Implications for Governance and Democracy.
The confrontation between a minister and a military officer is not an isolated drama; it is a symptom of a deeper ailment. It reflects a culture where power is too often personalized and accountability is optional. Such culture weakens governance by replacing institutional rules with emotional reactions.
The implications are far-reaching:
a) It erodes public trust in the fairness and integrity of government.
b) It weakens inter-agency cooperation, especially between civilian and military authorities.
c) It emboldens impunity, sending a signal that public officers can act without consequence.
d) It tarnishes Nigeria’s image before the international community, especially among nations that value discipline and rule-based governance.
Democracy thrives not because of the power of its leaders but because of the strength of its institutions. Every time a leader violates the law—or even appears to do so—those institutions take a blow.
• The Way Forward
To prevent a repeat of such incidents, Nigeria must reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law at every level of governance. This requires deliberate action.
First, accountability must be consistent. The Presidency and oversight agencies such as the Code of Conduct Bureau should not shy away from investigating and, where necessary, disciplining erring public officials. The credibility of government depends on its willingness to apply the same standards to everyone.
Second, ethical training for public officials should be institutionalized.
Ministers, special advisers, and political appointees should regularly undergo refresher sessions on public service ethics, communication etiquette, and inter-agency protocol.
Third, clear engagement frameworks must exist between civilian authorities and security agencies.
Civilian oversight should never translate into personal interference. Respect for professional boundaries fosters cooperation and national stability.
Finally, leaders must lead by example. The conduct of those in high office sets the tone for the entire society. If leaders respect the law, the people will follow. If they disregard it, chaos will fill the vacuum.
• Conclusion
The rule of law is not an abstract concept—it is the very lifeblood of democracy. When those entrusted with power misuse it, they not only disgrace themselves but also weaken the nation they swore to serve.
A minister’s confrontation with a military officer may seem like a minor incident in the day’s news cycle, but it symbolises something much larger: the ongoing struggle between the rule of law and the rule of privilege.
Nigeria’s democracy will endure only when every citizen—high or low, powerful or powerless—understands that the law is supreme. Power without restraint is tyranny; authority without respect is chaos.
The true measure of leadership lies not in how loudly one commands, but in how humbly one submits to the law that commands us all.
• Dr James Aduku Odaudu is a development administrator, communication consultant and publisher of SunriseNigeria magazine and sunrisengr.com
