The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, and the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria have called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate an alleged threat made against Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. In a joint statement issued Monday, NGE and SERAP condemned the minister’s remarks and urged the Federal Government to “promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigate the threat,” while also ensuring the safety of the journalist and others in the media.
“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,” the statement read.
The controversy stems from comments made by Wike during a media chat in Abuja last Friday, where he reacted to Okinbaloye’s remarks on the programme 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 earlier raised concerns about the 2027 elections, warning that the political landscape appeared to be tilting towards one-party dominance, while referencing internal challenges within the African Democratic Congress.
Reacting, NGE and SERAP warned that press freedom in Nigeria is under mounting pressure, stressing that public officials must remain open to scrutiny and criticism in a democratic setting.
“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,” the groups said.
They added, “Public figures, including politicians, are subject to a higher degree of scrutiny and criticism. The threat against Mr Okinbaloye illustrates the escalating threats to the safety and security of journalists and media freedom in the country.”
The organisations also emphasised that journalists retain their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and access to information, regardless of their professional roles.
“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,” they said.
Although Wike has since clarified that his comment was not a literal threat, the groups insisted such remarks were unacceptable and could have a chilling effect on journalism.
“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,” they said.
The groups further decried what they described as a culture of impunity, warning that the failure of authorities to investigate and prosecute attacks on journalists has emboldened perpetrators.
They cited data from Reporters Without Borders indicating that Nigeria dropped to 122nd position in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, with at least 56 journalists reportedly assaulted or arrested in August 2024 while covering protests.
They also raised concerns about the increasing use of legal actions, including defamation suits, as tools to intimidate journalists, describing such tactics as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).
Meanwhile, IBAN, the umbrella body for independent broadcast stations, demanded that Wike retract his statement and issue a public apology to Okinbaloye and the media community, warning of further action if he fails to comply.
The association said that although the minister later described his comment as “hyperbolic,” such expressions risk intimidating journalists and fostering a hostile environment for media practitioners.
IBAN warned that it could direct its members to boycott all media engagements organised by the FCT minister if no apology is issued, stating, “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.”
