The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has elicited widespread condemnation following incendiary remarks directed at a prominent broadcast journalist, asserting that he would have “shot” him for suggesting that the ruling administration is orchestrating a transition toward a one-party state.
Mr Wike’s comments were made on Friday during a live televised interaction with journalists in the nation’s capital. The outburst was precipitated by a Thursday evening edition of Politics Today on Channels TV, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.
The controversy follows the recent de-recognition of the David Mark-led national executive of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) a move that has sparked significant debate regarding the health of Nigeria’s multi-party system.
During the broadcast, Mr Okinbaloye expressed concern that the erosion of viable opposition parties could lead to the emergence of a one-party state. “I am particularly pained because what makes the race [elections] very interesting is when it is competitive, not when only one party stands in the middle of the ballot,” the journalist observed. He further characterised the ADC as a vital “hope for the opposition” ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that should such institutions fail, the nation’s democratic future would be “doomed.”
In a robust and hostile reaction, the FCT Minister accused Mr Okinbaloye of abandoning journalistic neutrality.
“I was surprised yesterday [Thursday]; totally surprised when I was watching Politics Today,” Mr Wike remarked. “Seun [Okinbaloye], if there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”
The Minister maintained that the anchor’s conduct was unprofessional, arguing that as an interviewer, Mr Okinbaloye had no mandate to present personal opinions or take a definitive political stance. “You are an interviewer; you are now telling them your own views… which means you have already taken a position,” he stated.
Following the immediate backlash to his remarks, Mr Wike later clarified that he possessed no genuine intention to inflict physical harm upon the journalist, attributing his rhetoric to intense “anger” over perceived professional malpractice.
Reacting to the incident via a formal statement on Saturday, Amnesty International Nigeria characterised the Minister’s language as “reckless and violent.” The human rights organisation maintained that such utterances from a high-ranking member of the federal cabinet are “unlawful and unacceptable” and constitute a direct violation of Nigeria’s broadcasting codes.
“What Wike said carries the danger of normalising violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists for just doing their job,” the statement read.
Amnesty International further called upon the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to fulfil its statutory duties by enforcing the relevant codes of conduct. The group has demanded an immediate withdrawal of the statement and a formal apology from the Minister, asserting that “Nigerian authorities must stop condoning such lawless acts when they come from those close to power or the ruling party.”
The incident has reignited a fierce national discourse regarding the limits of executive rhetoric and the safety of the press in an increasingly polarised political environment.
Leave a comment