A Controversial Statement Sparks Outrage
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has faced significant backlash from various sectors, including civil society organizations, media groups, and opposition figures. This reaction stems from a controversial remark he made during a media event in Abuja, where he suggested he would have “shot” a television anchor during a live broadcast.
The controversy began when Wike responded to a statement by Seun Okinbaloye, an anchor on Channels Television’s program Politics Today. Okinbaloye raised concerns about Nigeria potentially moving towards a one-party state due to leadership issues within the African Democratic Congress and the implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike’s response was particularly inflammatory, as he stated, “If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.” This comment has since sparked widespread outrage across the country.
International and Local Reactions
Amnesty International Nigeria was among the first to condemn Wike’s remarks, calling them “reckless and violent.” The organization warned that such rhetoric from a high-ranking public official could incite attacks on journalists and erode press freedom.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Amnesty International Nigeria emphasized that Wike’s comment carries the danger of normalizing violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists for doing their job. They also noted that this level of violent intent from a member of Nigeria’s federal cabinet is unlawful and unacceptable.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) also condemned the remark, describing it as a direct threat to press freedom and the safety of media practitioners. NUJ President Alhassan Yahaya expressed concern over what he called a dangerous precedent, stating that it is sad that a serving minister would make such remarks.
Yahaya urged the President to caution the minister and warned that journalists would not tolerate intimidation. He demanded that Wike retract the statement immediately and issue a public apology or face decisive action from the NUJ.
Broader Criticism and Calls for Accountability
The Atiku Media Office also issued a strongly worded statement, describing Wike’s comment as “disgraceful and dangerous.” They highlighted a broader pattern of intolerance within the current administration, arguing that such rhetoric poses a threat to democratic values.
“For a serving minister of the Federal Republic to publicly declare on live television that he wished to shoot a journalist over a professional opinion is not just reckless; it is a chilling signal of how far this government has descended into intolerance,” the statement read.
A coalition of civil society and media organizations, including the International Press Institute, Media Rights Agenda, Enough is Enough Nigeria, and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, also condemned the remark. In a joint statement, these groups warned that violent language directed at journalists contributes to a climate of fear and undermines democratic discourse.
They urged Wike to retract the statement and reaffirm his commitment to press freedom, citing Sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and the role of the media in holding government accountable.
Social Media and Public Reaction
The controversy has also generated significant reactions on social media, with rights activists and commentators expressing concern over what they described as increasing hostility towards the media. Rights activist Rinu Oduala questioned whether such a statement would have been tolerated in previous administrations, while activist Deji Adeyanju described the remark as “reckless,” stressing that the media must not be intimidated.
Other commentators criticized journalists present at the parley for not challenging the minister’s statement, arguing that silence in such moments undermines collective media responsibility.
Wike’s Office Defends the Statement
Despite the backlash, Wike’s office has sought to downplay the controversy, insisting that the remark was not intended as a literal threat. In a statement, Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and social media, 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 emphasize 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.”
