I Won’t Be Intimidated’, Channels TV Anchor Okinbaloye Fires Back At FCT Minister Wike

Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, has declared that he will not be intimidated following the controversy sparked by remarks from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, while expressing appreciation for the widespread support he has received.

Speaking during the Sunday edition of his current affairs programme, ‘Sunday Politics’, the TV anchor Okinbaloye acknowledged the outpouring of solidarity from civil society organisations (CSOs), viewers, and both local and international bodies.

“I sincerely want to thank civil society organisations, our viewers, for your love and your comments and your solidarity… Your support is deeply appreciated and reinforces our collective commitment to truth and accountability,” he said.

The journalist warned that silencing dissenting voices poses a serious threat to democratic values, stressing that “our democracy is in danger if we allow one way traffic in balloting.”

He clarified that his earlier remarks were not targeted at any specific political group but were intended as a broader call to Nigerians.

“This is not a warning to the opposition or the ruling party, but to all Nigerians who believe in the development of our nation,” he added.

Okinbaloye also disclosed that he had received assurances regarding his safety from the Department of State Services, noting “the ongoing reassurance” from the agency. He further revealed that the minister had personally reached out to him.

“I also received a call from the Honourable Minister who clarified that the intention was not as conveyed,” he said.

Despite the clarification, the Channels Television anchor cautioned against the use of inflammatory rhetoric, particularly in a democratic setting.

“Violent rhetoric or suggestive threats are never appropriate responses to dissent in a democratic society,” he said, emphasising that such language is especially dangerous during an election period when “clear and consistent assurances of safety are critical.”

He warned that statements by public officials could be misinterpreted and potentially exploited by individuals with harmful intentions.

“We must not create an environment where such statements can be exploited by those with harmful intentions,” he cautioned.

Reaffirming his stance, Okinbaloye stated: “Let me be clear, I’m not afraid, and I will never be intimidated,” adding that journalism grounded in ethics and global best practices remains a duty to the public.

“It is not a concession to power,” he said.

He pledged to continue holding public officials accountable, regardless of the consequences.

“I will continue to do what I love, asking the necessary questions, holding power to account… If that commitment comes at a cost, so be it,” he added.

LEADERSHIP reports that the controversy followed comments made by Wike during a media parley in Abuja, where he criticised Okinbaloye’s remarks on a Channels Television’s Politics Today discussing the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Okinbaloye had raised concerns about the possibility of a one-party state, a position the minister described as inappropriate for a journalist.

Although Wike later clarified that his statement was not intended as a threat, his aide, Lere Olayinka, in a statement on Saturday, said the comment was made “in a hyperbolic context… without intent,” explaining that the minister was reacting to what he perceived as political commentary rather than neutral moderation.

However, Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the remark, describing it as “reckless and violent,” and warning that such rhetoric could endanger journalists and undermine press freedom.

The organisation noted that the statement “carries the danger of normalising violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists for just doing their job,” stressing that such comments from public officials are unacceptable in a democratic society.