Global human rights group, Amnesty International, alongside civil society groups, has lashed out at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his verbal threat against Channels Television’s Politics Today anchor, Seun Okinbaloye.
Okinbaloye, during the live political show aired on Thursday, expressed the view that the country was tending towards a one-party state — a statement that did not sit well with the minister.
His comments were in reaction to the controversy surrounding the derecognition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I am particularly pained because when one party stands in the middle of a ballot, we are looking for the rest of the political parties. When some of us talk, it looks like our mouths are smelling. And we have been on this ground for a while,” Okinbaloye said.
“There are a lot of experienced men in the ADC who should have seen the devil in some of the issues that have been raised in the past months. Particularly, it looks like one of the hopes of the opposition going into 2027. If this hope is dashed, we are doomed democratically.”
During a live media chat on Friday, Wike said “he would have shot” Okinbaloye for what he described as taking sides in the leadership crisis rocking the ADC on national television.
“I was thoroughly surprised yesterday when I was watching Seun’s Politics Today. If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him. How can an interviewer say we cannot allow a one-party state?” the minister said.
“You are now telling them your own view, as an interviewer, that you can’t allow a one-party state. I was just taken aback. I am not saying I will kill him. I am just angered that he made that kind of statement on national television. This is not the kind of journalism I have seen people do.”
Reacting, Amnesty described the ‘attack’ on the Channels TV anchor as “reckless and violent,” demanding a retraction and apology from the minister.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the reckless and violent language of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, in which he stated that he could respond to a statement by a journalist with shooting. Mr. Wike stated on live television that: ‘If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him…’
“Apart from inciting violence, Wike’s remarks violated Nigeria’s broadcasting code that the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is supposed to enforce.
“What Wike said carries the danger of normalising violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists for just doing their job. This level of violent intent coming from a member of Nigeria’s federal cabinet is unlawful and unacceptable. Mr. Wike must withdraw his violent statement immediately and apologise,” the group said in a statement on Saturday.
Similarly, a statement signed by 14 civil society groups noted that Wike’s outburst undermines press freedom and freedom of expression. It also demanded that he tender an apology to Okinbaloye.
The groups include the International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria International Press Centre (IPC), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), Centre for Journalism Innovation & Development (CJID), Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), and YIAGA Africa.
Others are the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Global Rights, Dataphyte Foundation, Accountability Lab Nigeria, TechHer, Kebekatche Women Development Resource Centre, and DigiCivic Initiative.
“The undersigned network of press freedom, freedom of expression and civil society organisations strongly condemns the recent remarks made by the FCT Minister, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who stated during a live media chat aired on Channels Television on Friday, 3 April 2026, that: ‘If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.’
“The statement was undisguisedly directed at journalist Seun Okinbaloye, a political correspondent and anchor of Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, criticising his interviewing style and views expressed during his latest show.
“Although Minister Wike later clarified that he did not intend to physically harm the journalist, we are of the firm view that even such hypothetical expressions of violent intent constitute a conditional threat and cannot be dismissed as harmless. Even if meant humorously, such rhetoric can be perceived as intimidation by both the journalist and the audience.
“We assert that conditional threats or violent statements against journalists contribute to a climate of fear, undermining the fundamental principles of a free and independent press, especially as journalists play a crucial role in informing the public and holding power to account.
“Threats or violent language, whether explicit or veiled, not only endanger individual reporters but also erode public trust in democratic discourse. Public officials must demonstrate respect for these principles and uphold standards of decorum and restraint in all communications.
“With a press freedom index ranking of 122 out of 180 countries, Nigeria remains one of West Africa’s most dangerous and challenging countries for journalists. Media professionals are routinely monitored, attacked, and arbitrarily arrested, particularly during electoral campaigns. Incidents like this can further imperil journalists and highlight the urgent need for balanced and responsible political engagement, especially from public officials,” the groups noted.
