NUJ Condemns Wike's Alleged Threats Against Journalists
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, has issued a strong condemnation of what he described as "damning threats and intimidation" allegedly made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against journalists operating in Nigeria. Abdullahi made this condemnation official on Monday through a detailed statement released to journalists in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Outrage Over Minister's Remarks
According to the NUJ president, journalists across the union have expressed profound outrage regarding the minister's alleged remarks directed at Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye. Abdullahi specifically highlighted a comment attributed to Wike, which stated: "if there's any way to break the screen, I would have shot him." He emphasized that this statement represents an unacceptable attempt to intimidate and silence the press, thereby directly undermining press freedom and the foundational democratic principles in Nigeria.
"The Minister's egregious threat constitutes a direct and unacceptable attempt to intimidate and silence the press, thereby undermining press freedom and the foundational principles of democracy in Nigeria," Abdullahi stated firmly in his official communication.
Delayed Response and Calculated Silence
Abdullahi revealed that the NUJ had initially postponed issuing a formal response, hoping that Minister Wike would retract his statement and demonstrate genuine remorse. However, the continued absence of any apology or clarification from the minister suggests that the remark was intentional. "This calculated silence deepens our concern and reinforces the perception that the threat was intentional," he added, noting that such behavior from a high-ranking public official is particularly alarming.
Climate of Fear and Dangerous Message
The NUJ president warned that comments of this nature from public officials create a climate of fear for journalists who are merely performing their constitutional duties. He stressed that it sends a dangerous message implying that critical reporting could attract hostility or even violence, which is detrimental to a functioning democracy. Abdullahi underscored that the safety and security of journalists are paramount to maintaining a healthy democratic society, and any attempts to stifle their voices must be met with a unified and resolute response.
Demands for Action and Solidarity
In response to the incident, the NUJ president has made several clear demands:
- An immediate and unconditional public apology from Minister Nyesom Wike.
- A public condemnation of the incident by the Federal Government.
- Concrete steps by government authorities to guarantee the safety of journalists and ensure they can operate without fear of reprisal.
Furthermore, Abdullahi called on media organizations, civil society groups, and democracy advocates across Nigeria to stand in solidarity against what he described as a direct attack on press freedom. "The safety and security of journalists are paramount to a healthy democracy, and any attempt to stifle their voices must be met with a unified and resolute response," he concluded, urging collective action to protect the integrity of journalism in the country.
