ABUJA — The perceived bias and questioning style of prominent television host Seun Okinbaloye have once again landed him in the middle of a political storm, with critics accusing him and the broader Nigerian press of applying glaring double standards when interrogating opposition leaders versus government officials.

The spark this time comes from popular social commentator Charles Ogbu, who published a blistering critique calling out the Channels Television anchor for how differently he handles interviews depending on who is sitting in the hot seat.

The Contrast: Grilling Obi, Soft-Pedaling on Wike

Ogbu pointed out the sharp contrast between Okinbaloye’s aggressive, hardball interrogation of former presidential candidate Peter Obi and his far more passive stance during a past encounter with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

According to Ogbu, when Okinbaloye sits down with Peter Obi, he puts on the persona of tough international interrogators like BBC’s Stephen Sackur (HARDtalk) or Mehdi Hasan—constantly interrupting, firing relentless follow-ups, and probing every single claim.

Yet, Ogbu argued, that same aggressive journalism completely evaporated when Wike famously looked Okinbaloye in the eye on live television and boasted:

“Yes, I have Rolls Royce because I can afford it. My father was chairman of many companies.”

Rather than pressing Wike for accountability—such as asking him to name those companies his father supposedly chaired or explaining how a long-term public officer financed such luxury—Okinbaloye let the claim slide without a fight.

In the Critic’s Own Words

Calling out what he views as a broader failure in Nigerian broadcast journalism, Ogbu wrote:

“Watching Seun Okinbaloye forming Stephen Sakur and Mehdi Hasan combined, each time he is interviewing Mr. Peter Obi, throwing follow-up questions, in the most grilling manner, AS A JOURNALIST SHOULD, you’d be forgiven to think this is not the same Seun whom minister Nyesom Wike looked eye ball to eye ball and told: ‘Yes, I have Rolls Royce because I can afford it…’\n\n”The Nigerian Media is a complete joke! Apologies to the very few of them struggling to be the exception. My biggest joy is that no matter their conspiracy, Obi is always far more than equal to the task.”

A Broader Pattern of Media Scrutiny

  ANCHOR UNDER FIRE:   Seun Okinbaloye (Channels Television)
  CRITIC:             Charles Ogbu (Social Commentator)
  THE COMPARISON:     Relentless grilling of Peter Obi vs. Passivity toward Nyesom Wike
  CORE ISSUE:         Selective journalistic toughness and lack of executive accountability

Ogbu’s reaction taps into a long-standing frustration among many Nigerians regarding political broadcasting in the country. While tough, probing journalism is exactly what the public expects, critics argue it becomes disingenuous when reserved primarily for opposition figures while powerful ministers and incumbents are handed softball questions and allowed to make unchecked assertions.

Defenders of broadcast journalists often argue that live studio interviews move fast and anchors must adapt to time constraints and interview dynamics. But for many viewers watching from home, the gap in intensity between an interview with Peter Obi and one with Nyesom Wike remains hard to ignore.