Odinkalu, CSOs Tackle Wike Over Tactless Comment On Seun Okinbaloye

By Adesina Soyooye

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been slammed by human rights activist, Professor Chidi Odinkalu over his tactless comment on Seun Okinbaloye, Channels Television’s host.

Wike in his monthly Media Chat on Friday April 3, 2026, had, in reaction to the comments he said Okinbaloye made  during an interview with a guest, that he felt like shooting the TV host.

Reacting to the deluge of negative reactions and the calls for him to apologise publicly and that he went overboard, Wike said the meaning being read into what he said was deliberate mischief as he only spoke figuratively.

But Professor Odinkalu disagrees. In a post, he said Wike was not joking and accused the Minister of “Drunken Excess”.

In agreement with Odinkalu are 14 CSOs who are demanding that the  Minister retracts the statement and apologise to Okinbaloye.

Odinkalu accused the Minister  Wike, of attempting to assassinate Okinbaloye through his television screen during a live broadcast.

Odinkalu’s strong remarks comes on the heels of remarks issued by 14 press freedom and civil society organisations in a joint statement condemning what the described as Wike’s “violent rhetoric”. They demanded that he retracts his statement and apologise.

Odinkalu in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday,  strongly condemned the FCT Minister.

He wrote: “In a characteristic fit of drunken excess yesterday (Friday) #GreedyGlutton, @GovWike, admitted that he was about to shoot his TV in the hope of assassinating @SeunOkinbaloye, a journalist & presenter with @channelstv.

“He was not joking. What has the regulator said? Impunity.”

Trouble started from comments  made by Wike during a live media chat aired on Channels Television on Friday, April 3, 2026.

Wike had said: “If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”

In a press release dated Saturday, April 4, 2026, titled “FCT Minister’s Media Chat: We Condemn Violent Rhetoric Against A Journalist,” 14 organisations  condemned the Wike’s remarks.

The statement read in part:

“The undersigned network of press freedom, freedom of expression and civil society organisations strongly condemn the recent remarks made by FCT Minister, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

“Although Minister Wike later clarified that he did not intend to physically harm the journalist, we are of the firm view that 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.”

“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.

“Threats or violent language, whether explicit or veiled, not only endanger individual reporters but also erode public trust in democratic discourse.

“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.

“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 civil society groups demands from the FCT Minister:

• Fully retract the statement.
• Issue an apology to Mr. Seun Okinbaloye and the wider media community
• Reaffirm a clear commitment to non-violence and the defense of press freedom as a public official on oath to abide with the Constitution

The groups asked all institutions and public figures to reject violent rhetoric against the media and promote a culture of respectful media dialogue, even amid strong disagreements.

They said: “These principles are supported by Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), which affirm the media’s role in holding officials accountable and guarantee the right to hold opinions and receive and impart information freely.

“We reiterate our unwavering commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists everywhere.”

The joint statement was signed by:

*International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria

*International Press Centre (IPC)

*Media Rights Agenda (MRA)

*Enough is Enough Nigeria (EIE)

*Centre for Journalism Innovation & Development (CJID)

*Centre for Media and *Society (CEMESO)

*YIAGA Africa

*International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)

*Global Rights

*Dataphyte Foundation

*Accountability Lab Nigeria

TechHer

*Kebekatche Women *Development Resource Centre

*DigiCivic Initiative

It is noted that

Odinkalu’s poignant question: “What has the regulator said? Impunity” highlights the conspicuous silence of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, which has not issued any statement on the Minister’s ’s televised threat.

“The NBC, which has previously fined broadcast stations for various infractions, has remained mute on a cabinet minister threatening to shoot a journalist on live television.

“The joint condemnation by 14 prominent civil society organisations, combined with Odinkalu’s scathing remarks, represents a significant pushback against what many see as a culture of impunity among Nigerian public officials.

“Minister Wike’s statement — whether intended as a joke or not — carries weight coming from one of the most powerful members of President Tinubu’s cabinet. As the civil society groups noted, even hypothetical expressions of violent intent constitute conditional threats that cannot be dismissed as harmless.

“For Seun Okinbaloye and other journalists who hold public officials accountable, the minister’s words create a chilling effect. When a minister casually speaks of shooting a journalist, it sends a message to all media practitioners about the risks of asking tough questions.

“The invocation of Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution is significant. Section 22 charges the press with the responsibility to hold government accountable, while Section 39 guarantees freedom of expression. Wike’s threat strikes at the heart of both provisions.

“Nigeria’s ranking of 122 out of 180 countries on the press freedom index is a damning indictment of the environment in which journalists operate. When cabinet ministers threaten journalists on live television — and face no consequences — that ranking is unlikely to improve.

“The ball is now in Minister Wike’s court. Will he retract, apologise, and reaffirm his commitment to press freedom as demanded? Or will the culture of impunity that Odinkalu decried continue unchecked?

“For President Tinubu, the question is whether he will tolerate a cabinet minister who speaks of shooting journalists — or whether there will be consequences for such dangerous rhetoric.”