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Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has clarified comments he made about Channels Television’s anchor, Seun Okinbaloye.
Wike had said he would have “broken his TV screen and shot” Okinbaloye, over his comments that a one-party system would destroy democracy in Nigeria.
The statement has attracted widespread condemnation, with Amnesty International describing the minister’s remarks as “reckless and violent”.
But in a statement signed by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike has explained that he did not mean it literally.
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The statement released by Olayinka on Saturday read: “The minister never meant that he will shoot Seun Okinbaloye. They even spoke on phone today, and he (Okinbaloye) understood what the minister meant.
“What the minister meant, which he made clear during the media chat was that he was angry seeing Okinbaloye, whom he hold in high esteem as a journalist, descending into the political arena by speaking as an interested party, instead of an interviewer.
“The statement made by the minister was in hyperbolic context, which was clearly without intent. It was primarily using exaggeration to make a point.
“Even after the minister made the clarifications on the live television program, which had Chamberlain Uzor, Head of Channels Television’s Abuja Office as part of the interviewers, all the journalists who were interviewing him just laughed.
“Therefore, after the minister detailed explanations of what he meant, including saying on the live television program that he didn’t mean that he will carry gun and shoot the television anchor, it will become a clear hatchet job for any individual or group to pick the statement out of context and make any issue out of it.
“The public is therefore urged to discontenance the use of the comment as instrument of blackmail and propaganda by those whose intent is to misrepresent facts for their political gains.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC), backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, says its 2026 convention will go ahead as planned, brushing off reported court threats and internal divisions in a firm show of control ahead of a crucial gathering.
The convention is a test of legitimacy and unity amid rival factions, legal uncertainty and competing claims that could shape the PDP’s path to 2027.
Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, spokesman of the NCWC, made the party’s position clear at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, declaring that preparations were complete.
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“Tomorrow’s convention marks yet another defining moment in the life of the PDP, a moment that reaffirms our democratic ideals, our respect for due process, and our unwavering dedication to the will of the people,” he said.
He added that all arrangements had been concluded, with the process designed to be credible, transparent and inclusive, in line with party rules and national laws.
“We wish to assure all party faithful and the general public that this convention is being conducted in full compliance with the constitution of our party and in line with all relevant laws,” Jungudo said.
Despite talk of possible court action, the PDP insisted there was nothing concrete and said it had not been served with any legal notice.
“As you have heard, the convention will go ahead tomorrow, and all arrangements have been concluded. By the grace of God, on 29 March, the convention will hold as scheduled,” he said.
The party also drew a sharp line between its process and that of a rival faction backed by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, insisting its convention rests on firm legal ground.
While acknowledging internal disagreements, the PDP downplayed the split, pointing to what it described as broad and growing support ahead of the convention.
“Even within an extended family, you do not expect everyone to be on the same page. We currently have the largest following within the party,” Jungudo said.
He added that reconciliation remained open, but signalled that the process would not slow down for dissent.
“The party has taken a direction. Anyone who feels aggrieved and chooses not to align with us is within their constitutional rights,” he said.
The party also rejected claims of opacity in its nomination process, pushing back at critics over awareness of the sale of forms.
