NGE, SERAP to Tinubu: ‘Investigate threats against Seun Okinbaloye, other journalists’

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By KEMI KAYODE

The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have condemned “the reported threat by Mr Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), against Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye” and urged “the government of President Bola Tinubu to promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigate the threat.”

The groups called on the Tinubu government to “urgently take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Mr Okinbaloye and other journalists facing threats to their safety and security solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and carrying out their legitimate journalistic work.”

Mr Wike had during a media chat in Abuja last Friday said, “I was surprised yesterday (Thursday); totally surprised when I was watching Politics Today. Seun (Okinbaloye), if there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”

Mr. Okinbaloye had expressed concern that the 2027 elections were increasingly shaping up as a contest dominated by a single political party, citing the reported crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), but Mr. Wike claimed that, as a journalist, Mr. Okinbaloye ought not to express personal opinions.

Reacting, the NGE and SERAP said, “We are seriously concerned that press freedom is in a ‘downward spiral,’ with increasing intimidation, harassment, threats, and attacks against journalists and media freedom across the country.”

The groups said, “Public figures, including politicians, are subject to a higher degree of scrutiny and criticism. The threat against Mr. Okinbaloye illustrates the escalating threats to the safety and security of journalists and media freedom in the country.”