‘I’ll Kill Him’ – Fresh Controversy As Old Audio Of Wike Allegedly Threatening INEC Official Resurfaces

Fresh outrage has trailed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following the resurfacing of a 2016 audio recording in which he allegedly threatened officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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The development comes on the heels of widespread condemnation that greeted his recent comment in which he said he would have “shot” a Channels Television anchor during a live broadcast.

Wike has faced criticism from civil society organisations, media groups and opposition figures over his remark directed at Seun Okinbaloye during a media briefing in Abuja.

The minister was reacting to comments made by Okinbaloye on Politics Today, where the anchor questioned the possibility of Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state amid the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.

In response, Wike said, “If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” a statement that has since generated heated reactions.

Amid attempts by some of his aides to portray the comment as an isolated outburst, an older audio recording has resurfaced, suggesting a history of similar controversial remarks.

The audio, first reported by SaharaReporters in December 2016, allegedly captured Wike, then serving as Rivers State governor, engaging in a series of telephone conversations with INEC officials, political associates, youth groups, and community representatives.

According to the report, the conversations detailed how Wike allegedly coordinated payments to INEC officials to influence legislative rerun elections in Rivers State.

The officials, some reportedly deployed from Anambra and Plateau states, were allegedly paid in batches to favour candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party in areas such as Etche, Khana, Ikwerre and other local government areas.

The discussions also allegedly involved plans to overwhelm political opponents, with references to violence in the affected areas.

In one of the conversations, a female INEC official reportedly complained that the money offered for the assignment was inadequate.

An agitated Wike was said to have responded by stating that he had already paid the electoral coordinator in Plateau State.

The situation escalated when he was informed that an electoral officer had refused to sign a result sheet tied to the arrangement.

‘I Will Make Sure That I kill Him’

Reacting to the resistance, Wike allegedly issued a threat: “Don’t worry, I will call the Plateau man now. I will tell him, if he does not return my this thing, I will deal with you.”

When advised to simply have the official sign the document, he reportedly insisted: “No, if it is that one, he should return whatever… I’m going to make sure that I kill him in this state. Just don’t worry.”

In another exchange, Wike was said to have contacted an associate identified as Owoh, directing him to relay warnings to electoral coordinators.

“Call that coordinator of Plateau… that I said he should warn his man in Khana… that if he does rubbish, he should refund what we gave. That if he tries it, I will make sure that he never leaves this state,

” he said.

He continued with a stronger warning: “In fact, call the three coordinators… If they want to joke with me, disturb me, I will kill them in this place before they leave, or they should return what I gave.”

Conversation With Fayose Resurfaces

The controversy is further deepened by another leaked audio reported on December 19, 2016, in which Wike allegedly spoke with former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose.

In the recording, Wike was said to have boasted about his role in the Rivers rerun elections, while Fayose commended him for confronting what he described as military interference.

The exchange reportedly included inflammatory remarks, with both men allegedly speaking disparagingly about the Nigerian Army.

Naija News reports that the Rivers rerun election referenced in the recordings was widely reported to have been marred by violence and irregularities, with at least three persons confirmed dead.

Observers at the time raised concerns over the conduct of the poll and the role of political actors in escalating tensions.

The resurfacing of the audio has intensified scrutiny of Wike’s public statements and past conduct, especially in light of his recent comment about “shooting” a journalist.

The conversation included the following exchange:

Wike: “Ayodele, my son!”

Fayose: “You think I’m a Nigerian Army member?”

Wike: “Nigerian Army does not exist again now!”

Fayose: “Ah, Wike, you tried!”

Wike: (Laughter)

Fayose: “Everybody has been calling me! Wike, you are the man! You faced the whole country’s military threat…”

Wike: (Laughter)

Fayose: “They were shooting when you went o..!”

Wike: “My brother, you have to fight to the last o…! Kill everybody you can kill… Everybody you can kill!”

Fayose: “Ah! You’re the man of the year! This one is too much for one person! Everyone couldn’t know the way forward!”

Wike: (Laughter)

Fayose: “You went to the collation centre!”

Wike: “Yes, I had to stop there!”

Fayose: “Eh! The video is all over now! See the way they’re shooting!”

Wike: (Laughter)

Fayose: “All over! Aaaargh! Congrats!”

Wike: “My brother, thank God for everything. It is God.”

Fayose: “I’m sure we are still going to go to court against them for the other one.”

Wike: “Of course. Of course! We’ll fight it out!”

Fayose: “You’ve done well for all of us!”

Wike: “We thank God, my brother!”

Fayose: “I’ll call you later.”

Wike: “Okay.