Nigeria Union of Journalists Demands Apology from Minister Nyesom Wike Over Violent Threats Against Channels TV Anchor

The Nigeria Union of Journalists condemns FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s violent rhetoric against Seun Okinbaloye, calling it a dangerous attack on press freedom.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 5:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Channels Television.

The Outburst Against Professional Journalism

The Nigeria Union of Journalists has expressed profound outrage following a public statement made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, directed at Channels Television’s Politics Today presenter, Seun Okinbaloye. During a media parley, the Minister reacted aggressively to Okinbaloye’s previous reporting on the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress and the potential drift of Nigeria toward a one party state. Minister Wike explicitly stated that if there were a way to break through the television screen, he would have shot the journalist, accusing him of taking sides in political disputes on national television.

NUJ Denounces Rhetoric of Intimidation

In a formal response signed by National President Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the NUJ described the Minister’s comments as both reckless and dangerous. The union initially delayed its public reaction in anticipation of a voluntary apology or a retraction from the Minister. However, as no such remorse was shown, the NUJ concluded that the remark was a deliberate attempt to silence critical media voices. The union emphasized that such rhetoric from a high ranking government official creates a climate of fear and serves as a direct threat to the safety of media practitioners throughout the country.

Defending Press Freedom and Democratic Values

The NUJ has positioned this incident as a significant threat to the independence of the media and the broader principles of Nigerian democracy. According to the union, the safety and security of journalists are fundamental to a functioning democratic society. By suggesting that critical reporting could result in physical violence, the Minister’s statement sends a signal that the state may be hostile toward investigative or analytical journalism. The union warned that any attempts to stifle the press must be firmly resisted by all sectors of society to prevent the erosion of civil liberties.