NUJ Slams Wike Over Alleged Threat to Journalist, Demands Public Apology

NUJ Slams Wike Over Alleged Threat to Journalist, Demands Public Apology

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, has strongly condemned what he described as threatening and intimidating remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against journalists in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Maiduguri, Abdullahi said the union was deeply disturbed by the minister’s comments, which he said amounted to a direct attack on press freedom and democratic values.

He noted that the union was particularly alarmed by a statement allegedly made by Wike against Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye, describing it as reckless, violent and unacceptable.

According to the NUJ President, “Members of the NUJ expressed their profound shock and outrage at the reckless and violent statement made by Minister Nyesom Wike against Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye.”

He added that the alleged remark, “If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” was not only disturbing but also a serious attempt to intimidate journalists and discourage independent reporting.

Abdullahi said the union had initially refrained from issuing a public reaction, hoping the minister would reflect on the weight of his words and offer a prompt retraction and apology. However, he said the continued silence from the FCT Minister had only heightened the union’s concern.

“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,” he said.

He further argued that such comments from a senior government official risk creating a hostile atmosphere for journalists who are simply carrying out their professional duties in the public interest.

The NUJ President warned that any attempt to silence critical journalism through threats or intimidation poses a serious danger to democracy and the right of citizens to access credible information.

“It sends a dangerous message that critical reporting will be met with hostility and threats of violence, which is entirely antithetical to the spirit of a free and open society,” Abdullahi stated.

The union therefore called on Wike to tender an immediate and unreserved apology over the alleged comment, while also urging the Federal Government to publicly distance itself from any form of threat against journalists.

Abdullahi said the government must take concrete steps to reassure media professionals about their safety and guarantee an environment where they can operate without fear of harassment, violence, or reprisals.

He also appealed to media organisations, civil society groups and all defenders of democratic values to unite in rejecting what he described as a blatant assault on press freedom in the country.

According to him, the safety of journalists remains central to the survival of democracy, insisting that any effort to muzzle the media must be firmly resisted.