RismadarVoice Reporters, May 7, 2026
Anchors on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday issued a detailed rebuttal to claims made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, regarding the station’s Guzape property and payments linked to his recent media chat.
During the programme, the anchors dismissed assertions that the television station was profiting from its Guzape land allocation, insisting that the property housing the organisation’s national headquarters was legally obtained and fully paid for.
According to the presenters, the land was allocated to Channels Television on March 6, 2007, for commercial purposes by the then FCT administration, with all statutory payments completed nearly two decades ago.
“The statement made by the FCT minister during the media chat is not correct and we can say that unequivocally,” one of the anchors stated during the broadcast.
The station also addressed Wike’s comments suggesting that Channels Television received payment for airing his media chat. The anchors explained that the station had made “full disclosure” before the programme commenced, noting that such broadcasts require significant logistical and technical resources, including outside broadcast vans and production crews.
“If you’re going to lock down one, two, three hours of airtime, of course, you will pay,” one anchor said, while stressing that editorial independence remained intact.
The presenters maintained that the station would continue to uphold its professional standards and accountability to viewers.
“We’ll ensure to ask the right questions,” the anchor added, noting that Channels Television “will not allow any form of deflection” and remains committed to protecting “the trust we have built for over 30 years.”
On the issue of land reportedly allocated to journalists, the anchors called on the FCT minister to provide further clarification on the matter, urging transparency regarding beneficiaries and the purpose of the allocation.
“What exactly is the land for? Who got the land and the fees to be paid should be paid,” the presenters queried.
They further stressed the importance of focusing on issues of public interest and ensuring Nigerians receive clear answers to questions surrounding governance and public administration.
The rebuttal, according to the anchors, became necessary to place the issues raised by the minister “in proper context.”
