‘I would have shot him,’ Wike slams journalist over one-party state remark

By Tolulope Oke

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he “would have shot” Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye over comments suggesting Nigeria could become a one-party state.

Speaking during a media chat on Friday in Abuja, Wike reacted to Okinbaloye’s observation that the 2027 elections may be dominated by a single party due to the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The crisis intensified after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced it would no longer recognise factions led by David Mark or Nafiu Bala Gombe, following a Court of Appeal ruling.

Okinbaloye had warned that Nigeria’s democracy could be at risk if the opposition, particularly ADC, cannot contest the 2027 elections.

Reacting, Wike accused the journalist of taking sides: “I was surprised yesterday, thoroughly surprised. When I was watching Politics Today, Seun, if there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” Wike said.

He added: “How can you, as an interviewer, say we cannot have only one party? You are an interviewer; you are now telling them your own views. There is nothing wrong with asking questions, but you are now the one on national television making that kind of statement, which means you have already taken a position.”