The camp of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a controversial remark in which he suggested he would have “shot” a television journalist during a live broadcast.

Wike’s comment was directed at Seun Okinbaloye, a presenter on Channels Television, following discussions on the station about Nigeria’s political climate and concerns over a possible drift toward a one-party system.

Reacting in Abuja during a media chat, Wike expressed anger over Okinbaloye’s commentary, stating that he felt provoked by the journalist’s remarks and would have “shot through the screen” if possible.

The statement has since drawn sharp criticism from Atiku’s camp, which described the comment as “reckless” and “dangerous,” warning that such language from a senior government official could incite violence and erode democratic values.

According to the camp, public office holders must exercise restraint in their utterances, particularly when addressing members of the media, whose role in holding leaders accountable remains vital to democracy.

The controversy stems from a recent programme on Channels Television where Okinbaloye raised concerns about internal crises within opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and their potential impact on Nigeria’s multiparty democracy ahead of future elections.

Wike, however, accused the journalist of bias, insisting that media professionals should maintain neutrality and avoid expressing personal opinions on political matters during broadcasts.

Political analysts say the exchange reflects growing tensions within Nigeria’s political space as stakeholders begin early alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. They also warn that inflammatory rhetoric against journalists could heighten concerns about press freedom and political intolerance.

Despite attempts by some of Wike’s supporters to downplay the remark as figurative, critics maintain that such statements are inappropriate and risk deepening divisions within the country’s democratic landscape.

The incident continues to generate reactions from political actors and civil society groups, many of whom have called for more responsible engagement between public officials and the media.