•IBAN threatens boycott of Wike’s briefings
LAGOS—THE Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE; Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, yesterday, tasked President Bola Tinubu to investigate the alleged threat issued against Channels Television presenter, Seun Okinbaloye, by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria, IBAN, however, threatened to boycott all media engagements organised by the minister, if he fails to publicly apologise to the journalist.
Wike had, during a media chat in Abuja, last Friday, reacted to comments made by Okinbaloye on Politics Today.
“I was surprised, yesterday (Thursday); totally surprised when I was watching Politics Today. Seun, if there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” the minister said.
Okinbaloye had raised concerns about the 2027 elections, suggesting that the political space appeared to be tilting towards dominance by a single party, referencing internal issues within the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Reacting, the groups, in a joint statement by NGE President, Eze Anaba; General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, and SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, condemned the remark and urged the Federal Government to “promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigate the threat.”
They also called on the government to ensure the safety of Okinbaloye and other journalists.
Warning that press freedom in Nigeria is under increasing pressure, the groups stressed that public officials must be open to scrutiny and criticism.
The statement reads: “The Tinubu government should urgently take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Mr. Okinbaloye and other journalists facing threats to their safety and security, solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and carrying out their legitimate journalistic work.
“We are seriously concerned that press freedom is in a ‘downward spiral’, with increasing intimidation, harassment, threats, and attacks against journalists and media freedom across the country.
“Public figures, including politicians, are subject to a higher degree of scrutiny and criticism. The threat against Okinbaloye illustrates the escalating threats to the safety and security of journalists and media freedom in the country.
“Like every individual, Okinbaloye is entitled to exercise his right to freedom of expression as a fundamental human right, including the right to seek, receive, and impart information of public interest. His role as a journalist does not diminish or deprive him of this right.
“Although Mr. Wike has sought to clarify his remarks, the threat should never have been made, in the first place. The objective of those who threaten journalists remains the same: to chill public interest reporting by increasing the risks faced by journalists. Such conduct undermines press freedom and democratic accountability. This must stop.
“The continuing failure by the Nigerian authorities to uphold press freedom and to effectively investigate and prosecute the growing cases of threats and attacks against journalists has emboldened those who wish to silence them.”
Citing data from Reporters Without Borders, they noted that Nigeria dropped 10 places to 122nd position in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, adding that at least 56 journalists were reportedly assaulted or arrested in August 2024 alone while covering protests.
They further warned against the increasing use of lawsuits to intimidate journalists.
“We are concerned that security agencies and politicians continue to target journalists with lawsuits, generally for libel or criminal defamation known as strategic lawsuits against public participation, SLAPPs,” they said.
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, expressed outrage over Wike’s remark at Okinbaloye of Channels Television, describing it as a threat to press freedom.
The NUJ, in a statement by its 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.”
The NUJ said: “The union deliberately delayed issuing this statement, holding a sincere belief that Mr Wike would, upon reflection, demonstrate immediate remorse and promptly withdraw his dangerous comment.
“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.
“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 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,” it said.
On its part, the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria, IBAN, yesterday, tasked the FCT Minister to retract a remark he made about Okinbaloye, just as it threatened to boycott all media engagements organised by the minister if he does not publicly apologise to the journalist.
The umbrella body for all independent broadcast stations in Nigeria, in a statement by its chairman and acting General; Secretary, Messrs Ahmed Ramalan and Fidelis Duker, expressed concern over the implications of the comment aired during a live television interview.
IBAN said even though the minister later shared that he did not intend physical harm to the journalist, the utterance was inappropriate from a public official.
The association said expressions suggesting violence could be interpreted as intimidation of journalists.
IBAN asked Wike to retract his commentary and issue a public apology to Okinbaloye and the media community.
“Should the minister fail to meet these requests within a reasonable period, IBAN will have no choice but to advise all independent broadcast stations to suspend coverage of all press briefings, media chats, and official news conferences hosted by the FCT minister.
“We hope the minister will take the necessary corrective action so that normal coverage can continue without interruption,” the association sa