Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said he would have shot Seun Okinbaloye, a Channels Television journalist, when the latter was making a case for the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a live programme, "Politics Today".
The minister accused the journalist of taking sides and being unprofessional during the programme by saying the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was to stifle the opposition and ensure that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be the only party on the ballot in the 2027 elections.
Okinbaloye's claim had been the position of the ADC since INEC made the move, while the electoral body had faulted the opposition party for allegedly ignoring court orders. Wike posited that the Channels journalist should not have projected the position of the opposition on live broadcast, being a professional and should have allowed ADC to speak for itself.
Wike made the claim while speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Friday, April 3, and condemned Okinbaloye's allegation of a plot to turn the country into a one-party state.
Nigerians react as Wike threatens journalist
However, Nigerians have condemned the minister's outburst against the journalist.
Below are some of their reactions:
Yinkus called for the investigation of the minister: "This is criminal intent and should be investigated as such. Only a drunk individual makes this kind of threat on a national TV live broadcast. Wike is just like the NADECO man he serves. Who told mourners at Jos airport that there is no light there and he’ll be leaving in 10 mins. No respect for human lives. No decorum. No emotional intelligence. Pure evil and a reckless set of politicians all over the place."
Dozie criticised the minister: "Wike would have shot Seun because of a mere interview? Do you know how many people he would have shot and killed in the past for saying what he didn’t want to hear? That is how intolerant our politicians are."
Emeka criticised journalists interviewing Wike: "How they repeatedly sit around this guy baffles me. These are "senior" journalists. You gather around him just to hear him gloat for a handout."
Christolee alleged that the minister would soon deny the claim "Later Wike will boldly say he didn’t say that, that the video was a photoshopped video. He may even say it’s AI."
TRENDING VIDEO: ‘I’d have shot him through the TV’ — Wike reacts to Seun Okinbaloye’s one-party state comment
— TheCable (@thecableng) April 3, 2026
Nyesom Wike, the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says he wanted to shoot Seun Okinbaloye, a journalist with Channels Television, via the television screen… pic.twitter.com/CD1kP5YRVi
