The Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to retract a controversial statement and issue a public apology, warning it may boycott his media engagements if he fails to comply.
The demand follows remarks made by Wike during a media parley, on April 3, where he reacted to comments by journalist Seun Okinbaloye on the programme; "Politics Today".
Speaking on the political situation ahead of the 2027 elections, Okinbaloye 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 further warned about the implications for Nigeria’s democracy, saying; “If this hope is dashed, we are doomed, democratically speaking.”
Reacting to the comments, Wike said he was shocked by what was said on the programme, adding; “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 April 6, expressed concern over the comment, which it described as inappropriate and capable of being interpreted as intimidation toward media professionals.
The association noted that although the minister later clarified he did not intend physical harm, such expressions, especially from a senior public official, risk normalising hostility against journalists.
Nigeria currently ranks 122 out of 180 countries on the global Press Freedom Index, with IBAN highlighting ongoing challenges faced by journalists, including surveillance, attacks, and arbitrary arrests.
The body urged Wike to retract the statement, apologise to Okinbaloye and the media community, and reaffirm his commitment to press freedom in line with constitutional provisions.
IBAN also warned that failure to act could trigger a coordinated boycott of all press briefings, media chats, and official engagements involving the minister by independent broadcast stations nationwide.
“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 read.
It 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.”
