Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has revealed that he keeps a deliberate and personal watch over media coverage about him, insisting he prefers to hear criticism firsthand rather than rely on briefings from aides.
Speaking in Abuja, the former Rivers State governor said tracking public commentary especially from those he described as his “enemies” has become part of his daily routine.
Wike disclosed that he regularly tunes in to prime-time broadcasts on major Nigerian television networks, including Africa Independent Television (AIT), TVC News, and Channels Television, to stay informed about narratives surrounding his leadership and decisions.
Rather than depend on filtered reports from his team, the minister said he believes direct access to information gives him a clearer understanding of how he is being perceived in the public space.
His commitment to staying informed, he added, often stretches late into the night, with a habit of revisiting news segments around midnight before going to bed.
“I watch news all the time, AIT News, I will watch, TVC News, Channels, I watch all of them,” Wike said.
“I don’t wait for anyone to come and tell me what my enemies are saying about me, I hear it by myself.
“So you can see that I know the time, even by 12 I still come back to watch everything, I make sure that I watch before I go and sleep.”
The comments offer a glimpse into the minister’s approach to public perception and political awareness, highlighting a hands-on style that prioritises direct engagement with media narratives over second-hand reports.
