The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, made a contentious statement regarding Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) denounced the statement as hazardous and foolish.
According to reports, the union claimed that the remark jeopardizes press freedom and puts national journalists’ safety in jeopardy.
The union expressed its outrage at the minister’s statement in a statement released on Sunday and signed by Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, its national president.
The declaration was made in response to Wike’s remark, “If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” made during a media appearance.
The NUJ claims that the statement is an attempt to scare and intimidate journalists.
The union claimed that at first, it had refrained from responding in the hopes that the minister would change his mind and apologize.
It did point out that the lack of a retraction or apology raises the possibility that the comment was intentional.
The NUJ cautioned that such remarks from a high-ranking government official could make it difficult for journalists to carry out their jobs.
The union claims that the statement sends a risky message that critical reporting could result in animosity or threats of violence.
It further stated that the remark threatens media independence and democratic ideals. The union insisted that the minister issue an unconditional and prompt apology.
It also urged the federal government to denounce the remark and take action to safeguard journalists nationwide.
The NUJ also called on media companies, civil society organizations, and proponents of democracy to unite in support of press freedom.
The organization emphasized that journalists’ safety is crucial to democracy’s survival and cautioned against attempts to stifle the media.
Wike’s response to Okinbaloye’s comments on an earlier episode of Politics Today on Channels Television sparked the dispute.
The journalist expressed worries during the program that Nigeria might become a one-party state, especially in light of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s derecognition of the party’s leadership.
However, during a media parley, the minister retorted with the controversial remark after accusing the journalist of taking sides in the conflict.
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