More trouble for Wike over threat to ‘shoot’ TV anchor

Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has come under intense criticism from civil society organisations, media groups and opposition figures over a controversial remark in which he said he would have “shot” a television anchor during a live broadcast.

The backlash followed comments made by Wike during a media parley in Abuja, where he reacted to a statement by Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, on the programme Politics Today. Okinbaloye had raised concerns about the possibility of Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state amid the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress and its implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Responding, Wike said, “If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” a statement that has since sparked widespread outrage.

Amnesty International Nigeria was among the first to condemn the remark, describing it as “reckless and violent,” and warning that such rhetoric from a high-ranking public official could incite attacks on journalists and erode press freedom.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisation said, “What Wike said carries the danger of normalising violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists for just doing their job. This level of violent intent coming from a member of Nigeria’s federal cabinet is unlawful and unacceptable.”

It added that the comment contravened Nigeria’s broadcasting standards and urged the minister to immediately withdraw the statement and issue a public apology.

Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Journalists condemned the remark, describing it as a direct threat to press freedom and the safety of media practitioners. Punch