Amnesty International Nigeria has criticised a recent remark by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in which he appeared to threaten violence against journalist Seun Okinbaloye.
During a widely broadcast media briefing on Friday, Mr Wike stated, “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 reacting to remarks made by Mr Okinbaloye during Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, a programme anchored by the journalist.
Mr Wike explained that his reaction stemmed from comments by Mr Okinbaloye suggesting concerns that Nigeria could drift into a one-party state, amid lingering internal crises within major opposition parties.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Amnesty International condemned the minister’s remarks, describing them as a breach of the broadcasting code enforced by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission.
“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 warned that such comments risk encouraging hostility toward journalists carrying out their duties.
“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, opposition leaders have raised concerns that the administration of President Bola Tinubu may be steering the country toward a one-party system.
These concerns intensified during the week after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Wednesday the removal of former Senate President David Mark and former Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing a Court of Appeal ruling.
The commission also removed Nafiu Bala Gombe as chairman of a faction of the party after reviewing the appellate court’s judgment delivered on March 12, 2026.
INEC disclosed that the decision, announced on April 1, 2026, followed its assessment of Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which originated from a leadership dispute within the ADC.
According to the commission, it would also delete the names of members of the factional National Working Committee led by Mr Mark from its official portal, in line with the court’s directive to maintain the “status quo ante bellum.”
INEC added that, pending the final resolution of the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja, it would no longer recognise any individual as a legitimate leader or executive of the party.
However, the faction loyal to Mr Mark rejected the decision in a subsequent statement, alleging that the electoral body acted under pressure from the government.
Following these developments, the ADC and several opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor Peter Obi, have accused President Tinubu and INEC of attempting to position the president as the sole candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
