Outrage As Civil Society Condemns Wike’s ‘Shoot’ Remark Against Journalist
In a country where journalists already navigate pressure, threats and shrinking civic space, even a passing remark can deepen public anxiety about press freedom.
A coalition of media rights and civil society organisations has strongly condemned comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over what they described as “violent rhetoric” directed at a journalist.
The remark, aired during a live programme on Channels Television, saw the minister say, “If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” in reference to journalist Seun Okinbaloye, anchor of Politics Today.
Although Wike later clarified that he did not intend physical harm, the coalition insists the statement, whether hypothetical or humorous, amounts to a conditional threat capable of intimidating journalists and eroding public confidence in democratic engagement.
The groups, including the International Press Institute, International Press Centre, Media Rights Agenda, and YIAGA Africa, warned that such rhetoric contributes to a climate of fear, particularly in Nigeria, which ranks 122 out of 180 countries on global press freedom indices.
They stressed that journalists play a vital role in holding power to account and that threats, whether explicit or implied, undermine this responsibility while weakening democratic discourse.
Calling for accountability, the coalition urged Wike to retract his statement, apologise to Okinbaloye and the wider media community, and publicly reaffirm his commitment to non-violence and press freedom.
The organisations also reminded public officials of their constitutional obligation to respect freedom of expression, as enshrined in Sections 22 and 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).
They further called on political leaders and institutions to foster a culture of respectful engagement with the media, even in moments of disagreement.
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