Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike said Friday that he wished he could have shot Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye through the television screen — a reaction to the journalist’s commentary on Nigeria’s possible slide into a one-party state.
Speaking at a media chat in Abuja, Wike said: “If there was any way to break the screen, I’d have shot him.”
The remarks followed Thursday’s edition of Channels TV’s Politics Today, which focused on the leadership crisis in the ADC and INEC’s recent decisions.
The comments drew immediate attention amid growing concerns over press freedom and political tensions in Nigeria.
Wike also highlighted the ongoing challenges of tax collection, pointing out the disparity between citizens’ expectations and the reality of government revenue.
Speaking on Media chat monitored by Politics Nigeria, he stressed that while Nigerians expect quality infrastructure and services, there is widespread reluctance to contribute through taxes.
On the difficulty of generating revenue, Wike said: “To collect tax, you know it’s not an easy thing. I don’t know how many of you here like to pay tax. Nigerians want everything for free. They want road, they want light. It is not easy.”
He further stated; “When I came to Abuja we were about 8, 9 billion. The money we get from the federal government is 1% of the allocation of federal government. So if federal government gets 1 trillion for example, they’ll give us one percent which is ten billion naira and that cannot carry the society. Our salary in a month is not less than 12–13 billion, so we must augment. How do we augment?”
Addressing public criticism, he added: “There’s no ab¥se that any politician has received than me. I think after the president, I’m the highest ab¥sed. There’s nothing we do that we won’t get ab¥sed. Well, what is important to me is that I want to be concentrated to do the job.”
On oversight and accountability, Wike explained how closely he monitors the finances: “The money we have gotten from tax challenge me, minister FCT, what are you doing? I’ll show you as I sit here.”