NUJ demands apology for Wike threat to Okinbaloye – THISAGE TV channels

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed shock and outrage over a statement by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, directed at Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye.

National president Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi said on Sunday that the union described the minister’s remark as reckless and dangerous.

Wike had said: “If there had been a way to break the screen, I would have shot him”, a comment which the NUJ said constituted a direct attempt to intimidate and silence the press.

The union noted that it initially did not react, expecting the minister to show remorse and withdraw the statement. However, he said the absence of an apology or retraction suggests the comment was intentional.

According to the NUJ, the remark undermines press freedom and the principles of democracy, while creating a climate of fear for journalists carrying out their professional duties.

He added that such statements by a senior government official send a dangerous signal that critical reporting could attract hostility and threats of violence.

The NUJ has demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from Wike, describing his comments as reprehensible.

The union also called on the federal government to condemn the statement and take measures to protect journalists and uphold media independence.

He also urged media organizations, civil society groups and democracy advocates to stand in solidarity against what he described as an attack on press freedom.

The NUJ stressed that the safety and security of journalists remains essential to a functioning democracy and warned that any attempts to stifle the media must be firmly resisted.

The controversy followed Wike’s statement at the media briefing, where he reacted to remarks made by Okinbaloye in an earlier edition of Politics Today.

The host had expressed concern over Nigeria’s drift towards a one-party state while discussing the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following its derecognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Post views:
194