Nigerian Professionals Demand Police Inquiry Following Minister Nyesom Wike’s Violent Rhetoric Against Channels TV Journalist

The CP-PDP petitions the IGP to question Minister Nyesom Wike after he threatened to shoot journalist Seun Okinbaloye during a televised media chat.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 5, 2026, 4:30 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Legit.ng

Professional Group Petitions Police Over Ministerial Threats

The Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party, known as the CP-PDP, has issued an urgent call to Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to initiate an investigation into Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The demand follows a high profile media chat on April 3, during which the minister expressed a desire to shoot Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye. National coordinator Barrister Obinna Nwachukwu characterized the outburst as a direct assault on the constitutional protections afforded to the press, arguing that such language from a high ranking government official necessitates immediate law enforcement intervention.

Journalistic Commentary On One Party State Triggers Outburst

The friction between the minister and the media personality originated from Okinbaloye’s analysis of the current Nigerian political landscape. During a broadcast, the journalist suggested that the country faced a democratic crisis, citing internal instability within the African Democratic Congress as a sign that Nigeria might be trending toward a one party state. Minister Wike, visibly provoked by the assessment of the 2027 electoral outlook, responded by stating he was thoroughly surprised by the comments and remarked that if he could break through the television screen, he would have shot the anchor.

Advocates Raise Alarm Over Media Safety In Political Climate

The CP-PDP has expressed profound shock at the minister's rhetoric, suggesting it poses fundamental questions regarding the physical security of media personnel in the country. The group argued that the presence of individuals who use violent metaphors while serving in the federal cabinet creates a hostile environment for investigative journalism and public debate. By formally recording these concerns, the professional body aims to hold the minister accountable for any potential harm that might befall Okinbaloye or his colleagues as the political temperature rises in anticipation of the next election cycle.