Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stirred controversy after saying he would have shot a television presenter over comments suggesting the country was drifting towards a one-party state.
Wike made the remark while reacting to statements by Seun Okinbaloye, a journalist with Channels Television, who had raised concerns about Nigeria’s political direction.
In a widely circulated video from a recent media interaction, the minister was quoted as saying that “if there was any way to break the screen, I’d have shot him,” in reference to the presenter.
The comment has triggered backlash from observers and civil society groups, who argue that such rhetoric particularly from a senior government official could be interpreted as hostile towards the media and potentially endanger press freedom.
Critics warn that statements perceived as threats, even when made in a figurative or emotional context, risk deepening tensions between public officials and journalists, especially at a time when political discourse is increasingly polarised.
Wike’s reaction comes amid ongoing debate over the strength of Nigeria’s multiparty system, with some analysts expressing concern about the dominance of the ruling party and the weakening of opposition platforms.
Supporters of the minister, however, have defended the comment as a figure of speech, insisting it should not be taken literally but understood within the context of heated political exchanges.
The episode has once again brought into focus the fragile relationship between political power and the media in Nigeria, raising questions about the tone of public engagement and the need for restraint in democratic discourse.
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