The Atiku Media Office has condemned, in the strongest terms, what it described as a “disgraceful and dangerous” threat issued by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against journalist and broadcaster, Seun Okinbaloye.
In a statement released on April 4, 2026, the media office said Wike’s remark on live television—suggesting he would have shot the journalist over a professional opinion—was reckless and deeply troubling.
“For a serving minister of the Federal Republic to publicly make such a statement is not just irresponsible; it is a chilling indication of how far this government has drifted into intolerance, lawlessness, and abuse of power,” the statement read.
“It was not a joke or banter. It was a threat—clear, direct, and deeply disturbing.”
The media office warned that when public officials resort to violent rhetoric against the press, it poses a direct threat to democracy and freedom of expression.
It argued that the incident reflects a broader pattern within the current administration, alleging that dissent is increasingly met with hostility and intimidation.
Minister Wike’s outburst is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend where criticism is treated as a crime and opposing voices are targeted,” the statement added.
The office questioned the implications of such remarks for press freedom and public safety.
“If a prominent journalist can be threatened so openly on national television, what protection exists for ordinary Nigerians?” it asked.
The Atiku Media Office called for unconditional public apology from Wike to Okinbaloye and the media community, a clear repudiation of the statement by the Federal Government, as well as concrete assurances for the safety and protection of journalists across the country.
It warned that failure to act would reinforce concerns about growing intolerance of dissent and the erosion of democratic norms.
“Nigeria must not slide into a culture where intimidation replaces dialogue,” the statement concluded. “The press must remain free, and truth must not be silenced by threats, regardless of the source.”
