The office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has sought to calm public reactions following his controversial remark about Channels Television anchor Seun Okinbaloye, describing the statement as exaggerated and not a literal threat.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said the minister did not intend any form of harm toward the journalist.
“The minister never meant that he would shoot Seun Okinbaloye. They have since spoken on the phone, and the journalist clearly understood what was meant,” Olayinka said.
He explained that the comment, made during a media parley in Abuja, was directed at the anchor’s style of questioning and not a personal attack.
“What the minister expressed was frustration over what he perceived as a shift from professional interviewing to political commentary. It was not directed at the individual but at the conduct,” he added.
Olayinka described the remark as “hyperbolic,” noting that it was an exaggerated expression used to emphasise a point rather than a genuine threat.
According to him, Wike had immediately clarified his statement during the live programme, stressing that he did not intend to carry out any violent act.
“He made it clear on air that he was not speaking literally. Those present understood the context, and there was no indication it was taken as a threat at the time,” Olayinka said.
He further urged the public to ignore attempts to politicise the comment, insisting that it was being taken out of context.
The controversy began after Wike reacted strongly to comments made by Okinbaloye during a recent edition of Politics Today, where the anchor raised concerns about Nigeria’s political direction.
Wike, while expressing displeasure, said, “I am not saying I will kill him. I am only angered that such a statement was made on national television.”
The remark, however, sparked criticism from members of the public and civil society groups, with some raising concerns about press freedom and the tone of political discourse.
Despite the backlash, Wike’s office maintains that the comment was misunderstood and should not be interpreted as a threat.
