“He’s a Tyrant!”: Mr Macaroni Blasts Wike Over Journalist Threat

The Nigerian digital landscape is in an uproar following a high-tension media chat where the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, openly declared he would have “shot” veteran Channels TV anchor Seun Okinbaloye if he could reach through his television screen.

The controversial remark has ignited a firestorm of criticism, led by popular comedian and activist Mr Macaroni, who has officially labeled the Minister’s behavior as “tyrannical.”

The drama unfolded during a live media chat on Friday, April 3, 2026. Minister Wike was reportedly incensed by Okinbaloye’s analysis on Politics Today regarding Nigeria’s democratic health and the internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Okinbaloye had suggested that Nigeria might be “doomed democratically” if the opposition failed to remain viable ahead of the 2027 elections.

Visibly agitated, Wike told a room full of reporters:

“I was surprised yesterday, thoroughly surprised. If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”

While the Minister later attempted to walk back the comment—claiming it was a “figurative” expression of frustration over what he deemed unprofessional journalism—the damage was already done.

Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, April 4, Adebowale Adedayo, better known as Mr Macaroni, did not hold back. He blasted the Minister for using violent rhetoric against a member of the press, arguing that such comments highlight a dangerous lack of accountability in the current administration.

“This is a so-called ‘serving’ Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria saying in a live broadcast that he wished he could have shot and killed a Nigerian journalist,” Macaroni lamented. He further noted that leaders have become “untouchable bullies” because they face no consequences for impropriety.

The backlash hasn’t been limited to social media. A coalition of 15 press freedom and civil society organizations, including the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria and Media Rights Agenda, issued a joint statement on Saturday demanding an immediate apology.

In a bid to de-escalate, Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, issued a statement late Saturday clarifying that the Minister holds Okinbaloye in high esteem. He insisted the “shooting” comment was a “hyperbolic context” intended to emphasize Wike’s disagreement with the journalist’s take, rather than a literal threat of violence.

As the political temperature in Abuja continues to rise, the incident has renewed the heated debate over press freedom in Nigeria and whether public officials should be held to a higher standard of decorum, regardless of their “blunt” reputation.