Get Guardian on GoogleThe Peter Obi Media Office has accused Ministers Nyesom Wike and Festus Keyamo of turning their public offices into instruments of political intimidation and partisan warfare, warning that government institutions must not be deployed to settle political scores.
The media office, in a statement issued on Sunday by Idris Zekeri Jnr., condemned what it described as the ministers’ disturbing conduct, accusing them of exploiting the authority of their offices to pursue narrow political interests and attack perceived opponents.
It argued that public office was a national trust, not personal property that could be deployed to advance political ambitions or protect partisan interests.
According to the statement, ministers should serve the Nigerian people rather than operate as political combatants or use the machinery of government to fight political battles.
“A government minister is not a political warlord. Public office is neither a private arsenal nor are Nigeria’s state institutions extensions of any politician’s personal political organisation,” the statement said.
The media office also challenged the ministers’ apparent portrayal of partisan political activities as patriotism, insisting that genuine patriotism should be measured by service, integrity, respect for the rule of law and commitment to citizens’ welfare.
It maintained that loyalty to a political party or government should not be confused with loyalty to Nigeria, stressing that no individual or political organisation could claim exclusive ownership of patriotism.
The statement further accused the ministers of appearing more interested in political confrontations than addressing the country’s worsening socio-economic challenges.
It noted that Nigerians were grappling with poverty, insecurity, unemployment and a deepening cost-of-living crisis, arguing that senior government officials should concentrate on their constitutional responsibilities rather than engage in political hostilities.
The media office warned that the abuse of public office could have consequences extending beyond the tenure of those occupying such positions.
It therefore called on Wike and Keyamo to demonstrate restraint, accountability and respect for democratic institutions, insisting that public institutions must remain neutral and serve the collective interests of Nigerians.
“Nigeria needs public servants, not political combatants; nation-builders, not political enforcers,” the statement declared.
It added that patriotism should be demonstrated through tangible service to the people rather than partisan propaganda and verbal attacks against political opponents.
