African Action Congress don come out strong condemn one alleged threat wey Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, make against journalist and broadcaster Seun Okinbaloye. For statement wey dem release on April 5, 2026, and sign by party National Publicity Secretary, Rex I. Elanu, AAC yarn say the matter no good at all for press freedom and Nigeria democracy.
Party talk say the incident no be something wey dem suppose look alone. Dem see am as part of pattern of “violent rhetoric and intimidation” wey dem dey link to the minister. AAC even remember past media reports wey connect Wike to threats against officials of Independent National Electoral Commission and political wahala for Rivers State when e still be governor.
“The protection of journalists and the preservation of civil liberties must remain non-negotiable pillars of a just society,” the statement read. AAC dey call for immediate arrest and prosecution of Wike over the alleged threat and any other credible allegations wey fit come out from proper investigation.
Wike don face plenty criticism from civil society organisations, media groups, and opposition figures over one controversial remark wey e make. The whole matter start after Wike talk say, “If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” during media briefing for Abuja. E dey reply Okinbaloye question about Nigeria drifting toward one-party system.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters don exclusively report say Wike allegedly give prime Abuja land and $50,000 each to more than 29 senior INEC officials. Matter raise concern about potential undue influence ahead of 2027 general elections.
Independent National Electoral Commission confirm say top officials of the commission collect plots of land for Abuja from Wike, but dem deny say dem collect $50,000 bribes. Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the supervising National Commissioner for FCT and former Chairman of Commission Estate, Works and Transport Committee, confirm the land allocations but reject claims of financial inducement.
Haruna talk say, “Your story on the land allocation to members of the Commission is a half-truth while the $50,000 bribe, as far as it concerns me, is a barefaced lie.” E explain say all members of Commission fill application forms over a year ago under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman and pay appropriate fees.
Some officials collect their Certificates of Occupancy earlier this year, while others like Haruna sef never collect their own. Haruna add say the allocations dey for new layout without infrastructure and no worth the N180 million wey SaharaReporters claim.
“Note that on this land matter, every Nigerian is entitled to apply for it anywhere in Nigeria and it has become a tradition for senior public officers serving and residing in Abuja to be allocated land in FCT at the end of their service,” Haruna yarn.
On the alleged cash inducement, Haruna maintain say e never meet Wike for im life. “Mr. Wike in my life, never mind ever interacting with him directly or indirectly, not even when his Ministry allocated to the Commission the land opposite its current headquarters for the ongoing construction of its annex,” e talk.
Sources don tell SaharaReporters say INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, fit don benefit from similar arrangement through proxies with large parcel of land wey exceed 30 hectares. Insiders claim say the land allocations initially come with Rights of Occupancy but dem later revoke am after beneficiaries no pay required Certificate of Occupancy fees within 21 days.
Subsequent interventions reportedly include financial assistance or waivers to enable beneficiaries retain ownership. According to sources, each plot dey worth over ₦180 million. Efforts by SaharaReporters to reach Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT minister, no work as e no answer calls or respond to text message.
Attempts to get reaction from INEC Chairman Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, also prove abortive. The controversy come amid fresh tensions between INEC and African Democratic Congress.
On Wednesday, INEC announce plans to remove names of Senator David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from im official portal as leaders of ADC. Commission talk say e go suspend recognition of any faction of ADC pending determination of case before Federal High Court for Abuja.
The decision dey inside statement wey National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna issue. E talk say the move follow preservatory orders wey Court of Appeal issue to direct parties maintain status quo. Later on Wednesday, SaharaReporters confirm say INEC remove ADC leaders names from im portal, replace dem with notation “By court order.”
ADC call for immediate resignation of INEC Chairman, accuse commission of partisanship and undermining Nigeria democratic process ahead of 2027 elections. But Amupitan defend commission decision, insist say INEC just comply with subsisting court orders and no take sides in ADC leadership dispute.
For Nigeria evolving democratic space, public communication by political office holders suppose inspire confidence, clarify policy, and deepen accountability. But recent pattern of media engagements by Wike don raise serious concerns about tone, purpose, and implications of such interactions.
Rather than serve as platforms for transparent governance, Wike media chats don turn to arenas of confrontation, political score-settling, and rhetorical excess. This trend no only undermine integrity of public communication but also raise deep questions about respect for democratic institutions and press freedom.
Early signs of discord show for August 2024 during media briefing marking Wike first year for office. For wetin suppose be straightforward assessment of im administration achievements, minister abruptly declare controversial “park and pay” policy illegal. This pronouncement directly contradict ongoing enforcement activities by Federal Capital Territory Administration, create confusion among residents and stakeholders.
By January 2025, Wike media engagements don take more combative tone. During live session, e openly chastise journalist from Arise News, accuse reporter of disseminating “wrong stories” about constitutional status of FCT. Rather than offer clarification in measured terms, minister adopt lecturing posture, assert im interpretation of Supreme Court rulings and dismiss journalist perspective.
The line between governance and personal vendetta become more blurred for August 2025 when Wike use media chat launch direct attack on Ireti Kingibe, senator representing FCT. Questioning her legislative performance in highly personal manner, minister transform wetin suppose be policy-focused engagement into political spectacle.
By end of 2025, Wike media chats don evolve into full-blown political theatre. During December session, e openly mock several political figures, including Seyi Makinde and Siminalayi Fubara, while also launch personal attacks against Bode George, whom e label debtor. This episode underscore recurring theme: use of official platforms prosecute personal and intra-party conflicts, particularly within Peoples Democratic Party.
The most controversial moment come on April 3, 2026. For live media chat, Wike react sharply to previous interview wey Channels Television host Seun Okinbaloye conduct. For statement wey quickly go viral, minister declare: “If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.” Even if dem intend am as hyperbole, the remark widely perceive as cross dangerous line.
Backlash swift and widespread. Organizations like Amnesty International, alongside civil society groups and political actors, condemn statement as threat to press freedom. Attempts by Wike aides downplay comment as exaggerated rhetoric no do much quell public outrage.
For same April 2026 media chat, Wike venture into legal territory, offer interpretations of court rulings related to PDP crisis for Rivers State. E also criticize opposing political parties for wetin e describe as inconsistency. While public officials entitle to express opinions, fine line dey between commentary and overreach.
Taken together, these incidents reveal consistent pattern. Wike media chats characterize by three key elements: confrontational rhetoric, personalization of issues, and tendency blur institutional boundaries. This combination don transform wetin suppose be routine engagements into recurring controversies.
At heart of matter na fundamental question: Wetin be purpose of media chat? Ideally, e suppose serve as bridge between government and governed by serve as forum for explain policies, address concerns, and foster dialogue. For Wike case, however, the bridge often collapse under weight of combative exchanges and political theatrics.
Implications of this trend extend beyond individual. Dem speak to health of Nigeria democratic culture. When public officials adopt adversarial attitudes toward press, e weaken one of key pillars of accountability. When governance platforms dey use for personal battles, e erode public trust in institutions.
Moreover, normalization of aggressive rhetoric risk set dangerous precedent. If such behavior go unchecked, e fit encourage similar conduct among other public officials, further degrade quality of public discourse. No denying say Wike na seasoned and influential figure for Nigerian politics. Im track record as former governor and now FCT minister speak to im experience and political acumen.
But experience must match with restraint, and influence must exercise responsibly. Media engagements suppose return to purpose wey dem mean for: inform public, clarify policies, and engage constructively with stakeholders. Journalists suppose treat as partners in democracy, not adversaries.
Political disagreements suppose address through appropriate channels, not broadcast as personal attacks. Story of Wike media chats na, for many ways, cautionary tale. E highlight how quickly line between governance and grandstanding fit cross, and how damaging consequences fit be.
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