Prosper Okoye
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is facing mounting criticism after saying he would have “shot” a television presenter over comments made during a live broadcast.
The remark, directed at Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, has sparked condemnation from media organisations, civil society groups and members of the public.
The controversy follows Wednesday’s edition of Politics Today, where Okinbaloye warned about Nigeria’s political climate ahead of the 2027 elections, saying democracy is strengthened by competitive politics and weakened when one party dominates.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelResponding during a media chat, Wike accused the journalist of abandoning neutrality.
“When I was watching Politics Today, Seun… If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” Wike said. “You are an interviewer; you are now telling them your own views… which means you have already taken a position.”
The minister later said he did not intend any physical harm, but the comment has continued to draw sharp criticism, particularly from press freedom advocates.
In a joint statement, a coalition of 14 civil society and media rights groups called on Wike to apologise, warning that such language can be perceived as intimidation and may contribute to a climate of fear for journalists.
The groups said comments by senior officials risk encouraging hostility toward the media and undermining democratic accountability, especially in a country where journalists already face harassment, surveillance and arrests, particularly during election periods.
The incident has also triggered widespread reactions on social media, with many users criticising the remark as inappropriate for a public official.
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Nigeria ranks low on global press freedom indices, with advocates warning that rhetoric targeting journalists could further erode protections for independent reporting.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
