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A legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo has slammed the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike over his comments during a television interview.
Wike reportedly suggested he would have “broken the screen” to shoot a presenter, Seun Akinbaloye of Channels Television, if given the chance.
The remark has sparked widespread outrage, drawing a strong rebuke from arrays of people, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.
The lawyer described Wike’s comment as a disturbing reflection of leadership failure.
Ahiakwo argued that the statement goes beyond a casual outburst, warning that such rhetoric raises serious concerns about the tone, discipline and responsibility expected of those in high public office.
He maintained that leadership is not defined by aggression or theatrics, but by restraint, stressing that the true test of power lies in measured response, especially under provocation.
According to him, public office holders are not ordinary citizens, as their words carry immense weight and can either calm a tense environment or dangerously inflame it.
He noted that every utterance by a leader contributes to shaping political culture, warning that reckless language, even when made in jest, lowers standards and erodes public confidence in governance.
Drawing from Nigeria’s recent political history, Ahiakwo referenced former President Goodluck Jonathan, whose declaration that his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian remains a defining example of restraint in leadership.
He stressed that Jonathan’s position, taken at a critical national moment, demonstrated that choosing peace over provocation does not weaken authority but strengthens it.
The analyst also pointed to global icons such as Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln, who, despite facing deep national crises, adopted measured and unifying language rather than incendiary rhetoric.
He warned that when leaders resort to threats or combative expressions, they risk creating a culture of fear, discouraging open dialogue and weakening democratic institutions over time.
Ahiakwo concluded that the issue goes beyond a single remark, urging leaders to rise above impulse, embrace discipline and remember that while power is temporary, words and reputations endure far beyond their time in office.
Lawyer knocks Wike for ‘threatening journalist’, questions leadership qualities
