The Nigeria Union of Journalists has expressed outrage over a controversial remark by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, directed at Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, describing it as a threat to press freedom.
In a statement issued on Monday, NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya, said the union was “profoundly shocked and outraged” by the minister’s comment: “If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”
Yahya described the statement as “reckless and violent,” adding that it “constitutes a direct and unacceptable attempt to intimidate and silence the press, thereby gravely undermining press freedom and the foundational principles of democracy in Nigeria.”
The NUJ said it initially withheld its reaction in the expectation that Wike would retract the statement and apologise.
“The union deliberately delayed issuing this statement, holding a sincere belief that Barrister Wike would, upon reflection, demonstrate immediate remorse and promptly withdraw his dangerous comment,” Yahya said.
“However, the regrettable absence of any such retraction or apology strongly suggests that the statement was not a momentary lapse but rather a deliberate and intentional act designed to intimidate.”
The union warned that such comments from a senior government official could create fear among journalists and discourage critical reporting.
“This incendiary comment… creates a climate of fear for journalists striving to uphold their professional duties. It sends a dangerous message that critical reporting will be met with hostility and threats of violence,” the NUJ president added.
The NUJ called for “an immediate and unreserved apology” from Wike, and urged the Federal Government to take a clear stance.
“We call upon the Federal Government to swiftly and unequivocally condemn this threat, demonstrating its commitment to protecting journalists and safeguarding the independence of the media,” Yahya said.
The union also urged media organisations and civil society groups to stand united in defending press freedom, stressing that “the safety and security of journalists are paramount to a healthy democracy.”
Wike’s ‘shoot’ remark is hyperbole – aide
However, the FCT Minister’s office on Saturday had sought to downplay the controversy, insisting that the remark was not intended as a literal threat.
In a statement, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and social media, Lere Olayinka, said the comment was “hyperbolic” and taken out of context.
“The minister never meant that he would shoot Seun Okinbaloye. They have since spoken on the phone, and the journalist understood what was meant,” Olayinka said.
He explained that Wike’s reaction was borne out of frustration with what he perceived as the anchor’s deviation from professional neutrality.
“What the minister meant was that he was angry seeing a journalist he holds in high esteem descend into the political arena by expressing a personal opinion instead of maintaining the detachment expected of an interviewer,” he added.
Olayinka further argued that the statement was an exaggeration meant to emphasise displeasure, noting that Wike had clarified during the programme that he did not intend any physical harm.
He accused critics of deliberately misinterpreting the comment for political reasons, describing the backlash as a “hatchet job.”