NUJ Demands Apology from Wike, Warns Against Threats to Press Freedom

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The journalists’ union has issued a strong condemnation of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, demanding an immediate apology over what it described as a violent and unacceptable threat against a television journalist.

In a statement signed today April 5 2026 by the National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said it was “shocked and outraged” by Mr Wike’s remark directed at Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye, in which the minister reportedly said, “If there’s anyway to break the screen, I would have shot him.”

The union said the comment amounted to a direct attempt to intimidate the media and suppress press freedom, warning that such rhetoric from a senior government official poses a serious threat to democracy in Nigeria.

The NUJ said it had initially withheld its reaction in anticipation of a retraction or apology from the minister, but expressed concern that none had been issued. It said the absence of remorse suggested the statement was deliberate rather than a slip, raising fears about the safety of journalists.

Describing the remark as “incendiary”, the union warned that it risks creating a climate of fear for media professionals and sends a dangerous signal that critical reporting could attract hostility or violence.

The NUJ called for an immediate and unreserved apology from Mr Wike and urged the federal government to publicly condemn the statement and take concrete steps to protect journalists.

It also called on media organisations, civil society groups and democracy advocates to unite against what it termed a blatant attack on press freedom, stressing that the safety of journalists remainsessential to a functioning democracy.