Condemnation Hits Wike Over Threat To ‘Shoot’ Channels Television’s Journalist, Seun Okinbaloye

Press freedom and civil society organisations have condemned a statement by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), threatening to “shoot” Seun Okinbaloye, a journalist and presenter with Channels Television.

Wike made the comment on Friday while responding to a segment on Politics Today hosted by Okinbaloye.

The minister was reacting to the TV host’s remarks on the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the possibility that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may struggle to compete effectively in the 2027 elections.

During the media chat, Wike said, “I was surprised yesterday, thoroughly surprised. If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”

He later said he did not mean any physical harm, but the press and civil society organisations said the comment still sends the wrong message. They said even a remark framed as a joke can intimidate journalists and make the media space more hostile.

The statement was released on Saturday and signed by a coalition of 15 organisations, including International Press Institute Nigeria, International Press Centre, Media Rights Agenda, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Centre for Media and Society, YIAGA Africa, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Global Rights, Dataphyte Foundation, Accountability Lab Nigeria, TechHer, Kebekache Women Development and Resource Centre, DigiCivic Initiative and Hope Behind Bars Africa.

The statement read in part:

“Although Minister Wike later clarified that he did not intend to physically harm the journalist, we are of the firm view that even such hypothetical expressions of violent intent constitute a conditional threat and cannot be dismissed as harmless. Even if meant humorously, such rhetoric can be perceived as intimidation by both the journalist and the audience.

“We assert that conditional threats or violent statements against journalists contribute to a climate of fear, undermining the fundamental principles of a free and independent press especially as Journalists play a crucial role in informing the public and holding power to account.

“Threats or violent language, whether explicit or veiled, not only endanger individual reporters but also erode public trust in democratic discourse.

“Public officials must demonstrate respect for these principles and uphold standards of decorum and restraint in all communications,”

The groups warned that Nigeria already has a record of politicians and state actors targeting journalists. According to Reporters Without Borders, the country ranks 122 out of 180 on the global press freedom index.

They asked Wike to withdraw his statement and apologize to Seun Okinbaloye and the media community, and to clearly affirm his support for press freedom.

They also pointed to Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which protect the role of the media and the right to share information.

They said journalists must be able to do their work without fear, warning that when public officials use threatening language, it weakens trust and damages democracy.

There have been instances where these mere threats have translated to harassment and detention of journalists in Nigeria. In 2025, FIJ documented, in its CounterAttack Series, how governors in northern Nigeria went after journalists using the state apparatus.