FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is scrambling to douse a firestorm after his shocking “shoot the journalist” remark triggered nationwide backlash.
The controversy erupted after Wike, during a heated exchange with Channels TV anchor Seun Okinbaloye, declared he would have “broken the TV screen and shot” him over comments on Nigeria drifting toward a one-party state.
The statement sent shockwaves across the country, drawing fierce criticism from political figures, media groups, and opposition voices—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
But speaking on News Central, Wike quickly moved to contain the damage, insisting the comment was never meant to be taken literally.
“It was just a figure of speech,” he said, blaming Nigerians for “blowing things out of context” and politicising his words.
The minister also revealed he had personally reached out to Okinbaloye, claiming both men had settled the matter privately.
“We have no problem. He understands,” Wike added.
Despite the clarification, the controversy refuses to die down, with media stakeholders demanding a public apology and some even threatening to boycott the minister’s future engagements.
What began as a moment of frustration has now snowballed into a full-blown debate about political rhetoric, press freedom, and the limits of public discourse in Nigeria.
