Sowore, Wike And The Wrong Answers
COLLINS OPUROZOR
A few nights ago, Nigerians were treated to yet another episode of political fireworks when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appeared on Channels Television. In his usual combative style, Wike did not just spar with his political opponents; he threw a heavy punch at the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore. While discussing the issue of blackmailers, Wike alleged that those who sought to silence such actors would simply “bribe Sowore.” In one sweeping statement, the former Rivers State governor named Sowore as a bribe taker. That is not an offhand comment. It is a grave accusation that touches the very core of journalistic ethics and the integrity of the Fourth Estate.
Ordinarily, allegations of bribery against a journalist, especially one who prides himself as an anti-corruption crusader, should provoke a swift and decisive response. The response expected is not mere words but action. Nigeria is not a banana republic. The courts are open, and Wike enjoys no immunity from prosecution. The clear and logical step for Sowore would have been to sue Wike for defamation, thereby forcing the Minister to present evidence of his claims before a judge. That way, Sowore would not only clear his name but also strengthen the credibility of the watchdog role that Sahara Reporters professes to play.
But what have we seen instead? Rather than approach the courts, Sowore has busied himself with a series of counter-allegations, the most prominent being claims about a property in Florida, USA, allegedly linked to Wike’s wife and children. Sahara Reporters has since gone on a spree of what it calls “flashback publications,” digging up old reports and stale accusations against Wike. This diversionary tactic, while dramatic, does nothing to answer the simple question: Did Sowore take a bribe? Nigerians are left watching a man who built his reputation on fearless truth-telling now appear evasive when his own integrity is on the line.
This response is troubling not just because it is weak, but because it reeks of the very blackmail tactics Sowore is accused of practicing. By shifting focus to Wike’s family and properties, Sowore inadvertently lends credence to the charge that he uses his platform to bully opponents rather than to illuminate the truth. It is ironic, almost tragic, that a publisher who has spent years railing against the abuse of power now stands accused of using media power to muzzle free speech. In attempting to silence Wike through a flood of negative publications, Sowore risks transforming Sahara Reporters from a beacon of accountability into a tool of intimidation.
Let it be clear: Wike is no saint. His politics is as combative as his language is fiery. But democracy demands that we hold not only politicians accountable but also those who hold politicians accountable. Edmund Burke’s immortal description of the press as the “Fourth Estate of the Realm” was not a license for unrestrained blackmail. It was a recognition of the press as a vital pillar of democracy, one that must itself be subjected to scrutiny. When the press wields power without responsibility, it becomes a danger to the very freedoms it claims to defend.
What Sowore must understand is that credibility is the lifeblood of journalism. A publisher who shirks the opportunity to clear his name in court when accused of bribery sends a dangerous signal to the public. If Sahara Reporters can demand accountability from presidents, governors, and ministers, then its own publisher cannot be above the same standards. The refusal to test Wike’s allegation in a court of law raises doubts about whether Sowore fears what might emerge under cross-examination. Silence in this matter is not golden; it is toxic.
Indeed, this episode has exposed a deeper problem within Nigeria’s media landscape: the weaponization of information. When news platforms are used to settle personal scores or intimidate dissenters, journalism degenerates into propaganda. Free speech must be collective, not selective. It cannot be that politicians are fair game for exposure while journalists are immune from scrutiny. To insist otherwise is to create a new tyranny, media tyranny, where publishers play god and the truth is whatever they decree.
The path forward is clear. Sowore must take Wike to court. It is the only arena where facts will be separated from bluster, where evidence will either vindicate the publisher or expose him. Anything less is a disservice to the noble calling of journalism and a betrayal of the Nigerian public who look to the press for the truth. The court of public opinion may be noisy, but it is only in a court of law that justice is done and seen to be done.
In the end, this is not merely a clash between two powerful personalities. It is a test of our democracy’s commitment to truth and accountability. Wike has thrown down a gauntlet. Sowore must pick it up, not with stale reports or blackmail, but with the courage to confront his accuser before a judge. Until that happens, Nigerians will be right to wonder whether the hunter of corruption has himself become the hunted.
