The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned a controversial remark made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, about Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, describing the statement as reckless and dangerous.
The union said the comment undermines press freedom and threatens the safety of journalists in the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the union said it was shocked by the minister’s remark.
The statement was in reaction to Wike’s comment during a media interaction, where he said, “If there’s anyway to break the screen, I would have shot him.”
According to the NUJ, the statement constitutes an attempt to intimidate journalists and silence the media.
The union said it had initially withheld its reaction, hoping the minister would retract the statement and show remorse.
However, it noted that the absence of an apology or withdrawal suggests the remark may have been deliberate.
The NUJ warned that such statements from a senior government official could create a hostile environment for journalists performing their professional duties.
According to the union, the remark sends a dangerous signal that critical reporting may attract hostility or threats of violence.
It added that the comment undermines democratic principles and the independence of the media. The union demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from the minister.
It also called on the Federal Government to condemn the statement and take steps to protect journalists across the country.
The NUJ further urged media organisations, civil society groups, and democracy advocates to stand in solidarity in defence of press freedom.
The union stressed that the safety of journalists is essential to the survival of democracy and warned that attempts to silence the media must be firmly resisted.
The controversy followed Wike’s reaction to remarks made by Okinbaloye on a previous edition of Politics Today on Channels Television.
During the programme, the journalist had raised concerns about the possibility of Nigeria drifting toward a one-party state, particularly in the context of the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after the party’s leadership was derecognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The minister, however, accused the journalist of taking sides in the dispute and responded with the controversial comment during a media parley.