Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike addressed the controversy surrounding his remarks regarding Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye in a recent appearance on News Central TV. He insisted that there is no disagreement between them and that the issue has been settled. In response to criticism for comments that some saw as a threat to the journalist, Wike provided the clarification.
“If you like, you may go wherever; everybody knows I never meant to shoot Seun Okinbaloye,” Wike stated during the interview. He clarified that his remarks were metaphorical and that he personally spoke with Okinbaloye to address the situation and make sure there was no miscommunication.
The minister claims that he and the journalist are still friendly and that both men are aware of the actual context of the statement that caused controversy. Wike emphasized that his prior comments were made out of anger and frustration with the way the interview was conducted; they were not meant to be threatening.
The FCT Minister bemoaned the fact that many Nigerians, particularly those who opposed him politically, were too ready to distort his statements in order to forward their own agendas. He maintained that in the current political environment, detractors frequently distort and exaggerate statements made by public personalities in an effort to stir up controversy where none exists.
Anyone familiar with his relationship with Okinbaloye, according to Wike, would know that there was never a major problem between them. He added that a number of journalists in attendance at the time were aware that his remarks were metaphorical rather than literal.
The former governor of Rivers State went on to accuse some of his critics of taking advantage of the situation to gain cheap political points, saying that certain people are ready to take advantage of any comment associated with him. He maintained that individuals who are criticising him are purposefully spreading untrue stories to damage his name, even though they are well aware that he never intended any harm.
Wike emphasised that his correspondence with Okinbaloye had fully cleared the air and reiterated that the misunderstanding had been resolved in private and should no longer be a problem.
To view the video from 2:48 to 2:56, click the link.
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