The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, made a contentious statement about Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) denounced the statement as hazardous and foolish.
According to reports, the union claimed that the remark jeopardizes press freedom and puts the nation’s journalists’ safety at risk.
The union expressed outrage at the minister’s comment in a statement released on Sunday and signed by Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, its national president.
The declaration was made in response to Wike’s remark, “If there’s anyway to break the screen, I would have shot him,” made during a media appearance.
The NUJ claims that the statement is an attempt to intimidate and silence journalists.
The union claimed that at first, it had refrained from responding in the hopes that the minister would take back the remarks and express regret.
It did point out that the lack of an apology or withdrawal raises the possibility that the statement was intentional.
The NUJ cautioned that a senior government official’s remarks could make it difficult for journalists to carry out their professional responsibilities.
The union claims that the statement conveys a warning that critical reporting could be met with animosity or threats of violence.
It further stated that the remark compromises media freedom and democratic ideals. The union insisted that the minister provide an unconditional apology right now.
Additionally, it demanded that the Federal Government denounce the remark and take action to safeguard journalists nationwide.
The NUJ also called on media outlets, civil society organizations, and proponents of democracy to unite in support of press freedom.
The organization emphasized that the future of democracy depends on the protection of journalists and cautioned that attempts to stifle the media must be vehemently opposed.
Wike’s response to Okinbaloye’s comments on a prior episode of Politics Today on Channels Television sparked the dispute.
The journalist expressed worries during the program that Nigeria might become a one-party state, especially in light of the African Democratic Congress’s (ADC) leadership crisis following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s derecognition of the party’s leadership.
However, during a media parley, the minister made the contentious remark after accusing the journalist of taking sides in the conflict.
