By Sunny Igboanugo
Folks, have you been following the developments surrounding the Nyesom Wike-Seun Okinbaloye affair? I warned you last Friday what would happen – that Wike wouldn’t apologise to anyone. And so it proves.
For those who’ve been out of touch, perhaps on a remote island far removed from civilisation, let me bring you up to speed. On Friday, April 4th, 2026, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), held one of his regular press briefings – events that amount to little more than a platform for self-promotion and unrestrained self-adulation.
However, on this occasion, seemingly intoxicated by his own power, he went too far, making what is arguably the most shocking statement by a government official in recent memory.
He publicly stated that, had he the power, he would have shot Seun Okinbaloye through the television screen while watching him the previous day.
For those unfamiliar, Seun Okinbaloye is the presenter of Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television. His ‘offence’? He dared to challenge the increasingly one-sided political landscape, defending what should be the largest democratic space in Africa.
This audacious statement was a blatant disregard for public decency. The reaction was swift and widespread, with outrage expressed globally. Nigerians demanded accountability, and Seun himself publicly stated he wouldn’t be intimidated.
The Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria even issued an ultimatum: a public apology within three days, or all members, including Channels Television, would boycott any programmes involving the Minister.
They aren’t asking for resignation – that would be too much – simply an apology. But it’s a request that will likely go unanswered. Not now, not ever.
Does Wike appear concerned? Not in the slightest. He seems to dismiss the public outcry as insignificant. Why should he care, when he understands the source of favour – the very thing from which critics, including the broadcast media, benefit?
At the forum where Wike made his infamous statement, six senior journalists – Seun’s colleagues – were present. Shouldn’t they have been the first to challenge him? Instead, there was silence. Why? I suspect it took the wider public’s outrage to jolt them into recognising the gravity of what they’d witnessed.
This incident should have been an opportunity for them to demonstrate agenda-setting – a crucial function of journalism. Wike should have been firmly rebuked. The session should have ended there, sending a clear message that he doesn’t control the space, and setting a standard for acceptable public behaviour.
But in a climate where reporters compete with corrupt politicians to build lavish properties in Abuja and Lagos, why would they risk jeopardising their access to resources? If a bribe of N20 million is on offer, why confront the source, especially when it’s a well-worn path to financial gain? Why close a lucrative ‘oil well’?
That is the tragedy of modern journalism. Agenda-setting requires a degree of activism, involving resistance and even confrontation. Let me share a personal example from the 1993 presidential election.
The late MKO Abiola arrived at the SDP secretariat in Enugu during his campaign. Myrian Ikejiani-Clark, acting as coordinator, seized the vehicle allocated to reporters covering the event – the very vehicle that had brought them to the secretariat.
She berated me when I confronted her. But I stood my ground, insisting the vehicle be returned. In the ensuing commotion, Abiola himself intervened, offering me a ride in his own car, assuming it was a personal dispute. I declined, explaining that the vehicle was for reporters, and its reassignment would jeopardise their ability to cover the event.
I reminded him that reporters risked reprimand if they missed any part of the proceedings. As a media owner himself, he understood. The vehicle was returned. I wasn’t even a passenger; as a Guardian reporter, I had other options.
Now, consider this: riding with the late MKO Abiola would have been akin to an introduction to the billionaire class. Aare Dele Momodu can attest to that. This is what I sacrificed to support my colleagues.
That confrontation sent a clear message, not only to the woman involved but to all bystanders, about the misuse of power and the oppression of others. She was humbled and, I believe, learned a valuable lesson. It upheld prudence, wisdom, and good behaviour – that’s the power of agenda-setting.
How many journalists today, with a full understanding of the profession, would allow what happened last Friday to pass unchallenged? Would Bayo Onanuga – the Bayo Onanuga we once knew, before his current position – have remained silent while a Minister threatened a reporter? If so, he wouldn’t be the hero of democracy he once was. Would Sunday Dare, or Tunde Rahman? I suspect not. They would have acted.
The late Akpo Esajere, Jide Ajani, Ikechukwu Amaechi, Maureen Chigbo, Dotun Oladipo, Emeka Nwosu, and even I, Sunny Igboanugo, would have taken action. The message would have resonated far and wide!
I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that behind-the-scenes negotiations are underway to appease Wike. Because if he isn’t prepared to apologise, how will the flow of funds continue? Ultimately, it may come down to this: begging Wike.q
*Igboanugo is a veteran journalist
