The Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) has issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, demanding he apologise to journalist Seun Okinbaloye over a controversial comment, or risk a coordinated boycott of all his media engagements.
The demand follows Wike’s remarks on April 3 during the programme Politics Today, when he responded to Okinbaloye’s commentary on the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Okinbaloye had said; “What makes the race very interesting is when it’s competitive, not when only one party stands in the middle of the ballot and you’re looking for the rest of the political parties.” He added; “If this hope is dashed, we are doomed, democratically speaking.”
Wike reacted sharply, stating; “I was thoroughly surprised yesterday when I was watching Seun’s Politics today, if there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”
IBAN, in a statement dated Monday, April 6, described the minister’s statement as “inappropriate and capable of being interpreted as intimidation toward media professionals,” adding that such expressions from a senior public official could normalise hostility against journalists.
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The association acknowledged Wike’s clarification that he did not intend physical harm but stressed that hypothetical threats are unacceptable from public officials, especially amid Nigeria’s challenging press environment, where the country ranks 122 out of 180 on the global Press Freedom Index.
The body urged Wike to retract the remark, apologise to Okinbaloye, and reaffirm his commitment to press freedom.
It warned that failure to comply may trigger a nationwide boycott of all press briefings, media interactions, and official appearances involving the minister.
“This is not a step IBAN takes lightly. However, independent broadcasters must protect their personnel and uphold the principle that violent rhetoric will not be normalised or rewarded with platform access,” the statement concluded.
It further added: “While the Minister has since indicated he did not intend physical harm, IBAN believes that any expression of violent intent, even hypothetical, is inappropriate for a public official.”