By our reporter 6.4.2026
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has been told to apologized for his remarks threatening violence against Channel Television politics talk show host Seun Okinbaloye.
During a parley with some media executives in Abuja Mr. Wike had fired a cruel joke about shooting Mr. Okinbaloye. On Monday the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) said Wike’s remark were concerning and urged him to issue a public apology, other the IBAN will boycott all his activities.
Though Mr. Wike had clarified that he meant no harm and was only joking the IBAN said in a statement signed by IBAN Chairman, Alhaji (Dr) Ahmed Tijani Ramalan, and Acting General Secretary, Fidelis Duker, that Wike’s remark harmless at it may appear to be, such language should be coming from highly placed government official.
The association noted that expressions suggesting violence—even when hypothetical—could be perceived as intimidation and risk encouraging hostility toward media professionals.
The body further highlighted the precarious state of press freedom in Nigeria, pointing out that the country ranks 122nd out of 180 nations on the global Press Freedom Index. According to IBAN, journalists continue to face challenges including surveillance, harassment, and arbitrary arrests, making statements of this nature particularly concerning.