Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned a recent comment made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, threatening violence against journalist Seun Okinbaloye.
Mr Wike, during a widely aired media briefing on Friday, said, “I was surprised yesterday; thoroughly surprised when I was watching Politics Today, Seun; if there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him and commit murder.”
The minister was referring to comments made by Mr Okinbaloye on Thursday during Channels Television’s Politics Today, anchored by the journalist.
Mr Wike said he was angry with Mr Okinbaloye over the journalist’s comment about fears that Nigeria might become a one-party state due to the prolonged internal crisis within some major opposition political parties.
Reacting to the minister’s comment in a statement on Saturday, Amnesty International condemned Mr Wike’s comment, adding that it violates the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission’s code.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the reckless and violent language of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr. Nyesom Wike in which he stated that he can respond to a statement by a journalist with shooting. Mr. Wike stated on live television that: “If there’s anyway to broke (sic) the screen, I would have shot him…” Apart from inciting violence Wike’s remarks violated Nigeria’s broadcasting code that the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is supposed to be enforcing,” the statement read in part.
The organisation further noted that Mr Wike’s comment poses the danger of normalising violence against journalists in Nigeria for doing their job.
“What Wike said carries the danger of normalizing 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. Mr. Wike must withdraw his violent statement immediately and apologize,” Amnesty International said.
In recent months, there have been allegations by opposition figures against President Bola Tinubu that his administration is attempting to make Nigeria a one-party state.
The allegations heightened during the week after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday announced the removal of former Senate President David Mark and former Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, respectively, citing a ruling of the Court of Appeal.
The electoral commission also removed the chairman of the ADC faction, Nafiu Bala Gombe, following its review of the Court of Appeal judgment dated March 12, 2026.
INEC announced its decision on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, following its review of a judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which arose from a leadership dispute within the ADC.
The electoral commission said it would also remove the names of members of the party’s factional National Working Committee led by Mr Mark from its official portal, in compliance with the court’s directive to maintain the “status quo ante bellum.”
INEC noted that the decision meant it would no longer recognise anyone as an executive member or leader of the party pending the final determination of an ongoing case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, Mr Mark’s faction of the ADC, in a follow-up statement, rejected the electoral umpire’s decision, alleging that INEC acted under pressure from the government.
Following the development, the ADC and several opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor Peter Obi, have accused Mr Tinubu and INEC of attempting to ensure that the president runs as a sole candidate in the 2027 presidential election..
