The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have condemned the reported threat by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), against Channels Television presenter, Seun Okinbaloye and urged the government of President Bola Tinubu to promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigate the threat.
The groups called on the Tinubu government to “urgently take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Mr Okinbaloye and other journalists facing threats to their safety and security solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and carrying out their legitimate journalistic work.” Wike, had during a media chat in Abuja last Friday, said:
“I was surprised yesterday (Thursday) last week; totally surprised when I was watching Politics Today. Seun (Okinbaloye), if there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.” Okinbaloye had expressed concern that the 2027 elections were increasingly shaping up as a contest dominated by a single political party, citing the reported crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), but Wike claimed that, as a journalist, Okinbaloye ought not to express personal opinions.
Reacting, the NGE and SERAP said: “We are seriously concerned that press freedom is in a ‘downward spiral,’ with increasing intimidation, harassment, threats and attacks against journalists and media freedom across the country.”
The groups said: “Public figures, including politicians, are subject to a higher degree of scrutiny and criticism. The threat against Mr Okinbaloye illustrates the escalating threats to the safety and security of journalists and media freedom in the country.” According to the groups: “Like every individual, Okinbaloye is entitled to exercise his right to freedom of expression as a fundamental human right, including the right to seek, receive and impart information of public interest.
His role as a journalist does not diminish or deprive him of this right.” The statement, jointly signed by NGE President, Eze Anaba, and the General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, and SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, read in part: “The right to freedom of expression applies to all kinds of information and ideas, including those that may shock, offend or disturb. “Any form of effort to coerce the holding or not holding of any opinion is prohibited.
“Although Mr Wike has sought to clarify his remarks, the threat should never have been made in the first place. The objective of those who threaten journalists remains the same: to chill public interest reporting by increasing the risks faced by journalists. Such conduct undermines press freedom and democratic accountability. This must stop.
