Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has come under sharp criticism from civil society organisations, media groups and opposition figures over a controversial remark in which he said he would have “shot” a television anchor during a live broadcast.
The outrage followed comments made by Wike during a media parley in Abuja, where he reacted to a statement by Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, on the programme Politics Today. Okinbaloye had raised concerns about the possibility of Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state amid the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress and its implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Okinbaloye’s question, Wike said: “If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” a statement that has since sparked widespread fallout.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Amnesty International Nigeria was among the first to condemn the remark, describing it as “reckless and violent,” and warning that such rhetoric from a high-ranking public official could incite attacks on journalists and erode press freedom.
The organisation said: “What Wike said carries the danger of normalising violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists for just doing their job. This level of violent intent coming from a member of Nigeria’s federal cabinet is unlawful and unacceptable.”
It added that the comment contravened Nigeria’s broadcasting standards and urged the minister to immediately withdraw the statement and issue a public apology.