Amnesty International has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over what it described as a reckless and violent comment allegedly made against a journalist during a live television interview.
The groups made their positiond known in a post on its official X account on Saturday, stating that Wike’s statement was dangerous and could encourage attacks on journalists.
According to Amnesty, Wike reportedly said, “If there’s any way to broke (sic) the screen, I would have shot him…” — a remark the organisation said raises serious concerns about safety and press freedom in Nigeria.
Amnesty International described the comment as reckless and violent language.
The group warned that such statements from a senior government official could normalise violence against media practitioners.
It added that the remark carries the danger of normalising violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists merely for doing their job.
The organisation further stated that the comment violated Nigeria’s broadcasting rules, which are designed to guide conduct on air, and said the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission should be enforcing such standards.
According to Amnesty, the statement was unlawful and unacceptable, particularly coming from a member of the federal cabinet.
The group called on Wike to withdraw the statement and apologise, insisting that public officials must exercise caution with their words.
“Mr Wike must withdraw his violent statement immediately and apologise,” the organisation said.
Similarly, a network of press freedom and civil society organisations has condemned recent remarks by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), directed at Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye.
Wike, during a media chat in Abuja on Friday, threatened to shoot Okinbaloye over the journalist’s comments on the possibility of Nigeria becoming a one-party state.
Speaking on his programme, Okinbaloye had said it was disappointing that the 2027 elections were shaping up as a contest dominated by one political party, citing the crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He said that Nigeria is “doomed democratically” if the only viable opposition — ADC — is unable to contest the 2027 elections.
Reacting to Okinbaloye, Wike had said: “I was surprised yesterday, thoroughly surprised. If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”
In a statement signed by 14 organisations, the network demanded that Wike retract his remarks, apologise to Okinbaloye and the media community, and “reaffirm a clear commitment to non-violence and the defence of press freedom as a public official on oath to abide with the constitution”.
They said that while the minister later clarified that he did not intend to physically harm the journalist, “even such hypothetical expressions of violent intent constitute a conditional threat and cannot be dismissed as harmless”.
“Even if meant humorously, such rhetoric can be perceived as intimidation by both the journalist and the audience,” the statement reads.
“We assert that conditional threats or violent statements against journalists contribute to a climate of fear, undermining the fundamental principles of a free and independent press, especially as journalists play a crucial role in informing the public and holding power to account.”
The CSOs and press freedom groups warned that threats or violent language, whether direct or indirect, put journalists at risk and weaken public trust in democracy.
“With a press freedom index ranking of 122 out of 180 countries, Nigeria remains one of West Africa’s most dangerous and challenging countries for journalists,” the statement said.
“Media professionals are routinely monitored, attacked, and arbitrarily arrested, particularly during electoral campaigns. Incidents like this can further imperil journalists and highlight the urgent need for balanced and responsible political engagement, especially from public officials.”
The network also urged institutions and public figures to reject violent rhetoric against the media and promote a culture of respectful engagement, even amid strong disagreements.
