The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has addressed the backlash over his controversial statement directed at Channels TV’s news anchor Seun Okinbaloye.
Speaking on News Central on Monday, Wike explained that his earlier remark was merely a figure of speech reflecting his frustration.
“It’s really unfortunate, you know, in Nigeria people blow everything out of context particularly playing politics with everything,
Anybody who knows my relationship with Seun will not begin to rant,” Wike said.
“It’s a figure of speech that explains how angry I was. I’ve spoken to him; we have no problem. He said he understands everything.”
The Lagos Times reported that the comment in question came after Okinbaloye, during an interview with Wike, remarked that a one-party system could destroy democracy in Nigeria.
Wike had said he would have “broken his TV screen and shot” the journalist, a statement that drew widespread condemnation, including criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
