The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, over his recent statement directed at Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye.
NUJ in a statement signed by its National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, on Sunday, described the minister’s remark as reprehensible, reckless and dangerous.
The Union while expressing shock and outrage over the statement, noted that it initially withheld its reaction, expecting the minister to show remorse and withdraw the statement.
The NUJ made it clear that the remark capable of creating fears in Journalists also undermines press freedom and the principles of democracy, adding that such statements from a senior government official send a dangerous signal that critical reporting could attract hostility and threats of violence.
The NUJ therefore called on the Federal Government to condemn the statement and take steps to protect journalists and uphold the independence of the media, stressing that the safety and security of journalists remain essential to a functioning democracy.
While warning that any attempt to stifle the media must be firmly resisted, the Union further urged media organisations, civil society groups, and democracy advocates to stand in solidarity against what it described as an attack on press freedom.
Recall, Wike had said, “If there’s anyway to break the screen, I would have shot Seun Okinbaloye,” who had on a previous edition of Politics Today raised concerns about Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state while discussing the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after its derecognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
