A legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over comments made during a recent television interview that have sparked widespread backlash.
Wike had reportedly suggested he would have “broken the screen” to shoot a presenter, Seun Akinbaloye of Channels Television, if given the opportunity. The remark has since drawn condemnation from various quarters, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Reacting to the development, Ahiakwo described the statement as deeply troubling and indicative of a broader failure in leadership conduct. He argued that such rhetoric goes beyond a casual outburst, raising serious concerns about discipline and responsibility among public officials.
According to him, leadership is not defined by aggression or theatrics but by restraint, particularly in moments of tension or provocation. He stressed that those in positions of authority must be mindful of their words, given their influence on public discourse.
“Public office holders are not ordinary citizens,” he said, noting that their statements can either calm volatile situations or escalate them.
Ahiakwo further warned that reckless language, even when made in jest, risks eroding public confidence in governance and lowering the standards of political engagement.
Drawing comparisons from Nigeria’s political history, he referenced Goodluck Jonathan, whose declaration that his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian has often been cited as an example of restraint and statesmanship.
He also pointed to global figures such as Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln, noting that despite facing profound national crises, they chose unifying and measured language over inflammatory rhetoric.
The analyst cautioned that when leaders resort to threats or combative expressions, they risk fostering a climate of fear, discouraging open dialogue, and weakening democratic institutions over time.
He concluded that the controversy surrounding Wike’s remark should serve as a broader reminder for leaders to exercise discipline and responsibility, emphasising that while power is temporary, words and reputations endure far beyond their time in office.
