Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that Wike threatened to shoot Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye during a live interview. The clarification came in a statement issued on Saturday, in which Olayinka described the minister's comment as "purely figurative" and not meant to be taken literally. He said Wike made the remark out of frustration, feeling that Okinbaloye, whom he respects, appeared to adopt a political slant instead of maintaining journalistic neutrality. According to Olayinka, Wike had already clarified the exaggeration during the broadcast, and the two journalists on set, including Abuja Bureau Chief Chamberlain Uzor, responded with laughter. Olayinka revealed that Wike and Okinbaloye later spoke by phone, with the journalist understanding the context. He accused unnamed parties of attempting to distort the comment for political gain, calling such moves a "hatchet job." The aide urged the public not to fall for what he termed deliberate misrepresentation aimed at propaganda or blackmail.
Wike's "figurative" remark would not have required a damage-control statement if he hadn't built a public persona around volatile outbursts. The fact that his aide had to confirm a phone call with Okinbaloye shows the minister's words now carry more weight than he claims. When a cabinet minister's offhand comment triggers national interpretation, it reflects less on the audience's perception and more on his own pattern of speech. For Nigerians, this episode reinforces the shrinking space for irony in political communication—especially from figures who've never been subtle.
