The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following a controversial comment directed at Channels Television anchor Seun Okinbaloye.
The union’s demand follows a media chat where the Minister, expressing dissatisfaction with Okinbaloye’s analysis of the nation’s democracy, reportedly said: “If there’s anyway to break the screen, I would have shot him.”
In a statement released on Monday, April 6, 2026, NUJ National President Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi described the remark as a “reckless and violent” attempt to silence the press.
“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,” Abdullahi said. “It sends a dangerous message that critical reporting will be met with hostility and threats of violence.”
While the Minister’s aides have since clarified that the comment was “hyperbolic” and “figurative,” the NUJ rejected the explanation, stating that such rhetoric from a high-ranking official creates a “climate of fear” for media practitioners.
The union further called on the Federal Government to unequivocally condemn the threat to demonstrate its commitment to protecting the independence of the media.
The Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) has joined the call for an apology, threatening to boycott the Minister’s media engagements if a formal retraction is not made.
