*Say Press Freedom In “Downward Spiral”
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The Nigeria Guild of Editors, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists have strongly condemned the reported threat by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye, urging the government of President Bola Tinubu to promptly investigate the threat.
The groups called on the Tinubu government to urgently take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Okinbaloye and other journalists facing threats 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); 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, but Wike claimed that, as a journalist, Okinbaloye ought not to express personal opinions.
In a joint statement signed by NGE President Eze Anaba, General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, and SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the groups expressed serious concern about the state of press freedom in Nigeria.
“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 statement read.
“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.”
The groups defended the journalist’s right to express opinions.
“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,” they stated.
“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.”
The groups rejected Wike’s attempt to clarify his remarks.
“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,” they stated.
NGE and SERAP highlighted the culture of impunity for attacks on journalists.
“The continuing failure by the Nigerian authorities to uphold press freedom and to effectively investigate and prosecute the growing cases of threats and attacks against journalists has emboldened those who wish to silence them,” they stated.
“The failure also reflects wider impunity for human rights violations and disregard for the rule of law in Nigeria.”
“Impunity for those who threaten, intimidate and harass journalists and media organizations contributes to the hostile environment for these human rights defenders. Nigerian authorities must end impunity for crimes against journalists.”
The groups noted that restrictions on civic space and suppression of the press take various forms.
“We note that the restrictions on civic space, human rights violations and suppression of the press in recent times take various forms ranging from extrajudicial to unlawful detentions, enforced disappearances, malicious prosecutions and wrongful use of both legislation and law enforcement,” they stated.
The statement highlighted concerns about the use of lawsuits to intimidate journalists.
“We are concerned that security agencies and politicians continue to target journalists with lawsuits, generally for libel or criminal defamation, seeking exorbitant damages. Known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), the point of the legal action is not necessarily to win the lawsuit but to intimidate or exhaust the resources and morale of the other party,” NGE and SERAP stated.
The groups cited alarming statistics on press freedom.
“In August 2024 alone, at least fifty-six (56) journalists were assaulted or arrested while covering demonstrations across the country. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Nigeria has dropped 10 spots to 122nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index,” the statement noted.
The groups cited constitutional and international law protections for press freedom.
“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party guarantee the right to freedom of expression and press freedom,” they stated.
“Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution provides that every person shall have the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference. It further affirms the right to own, establish, and operate media outlets for the dissemination of information.”
“Section 22 places a duty on the press, radio, television, and other media to uphold accountability by holding the government responsible to the people.”
The groups emphasised the crucial role of the media in a democracy.
“The media plays a crucial role in exposing abuses of power, human rights violations, thus helping to ensure that the public is informed, that abuses are halted, that criminal perpetrators face justice, and that victims can seek redress,” they stated.
“The free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues is essential. This implies a free press and other media able to comment on public issues without censorship or restraint and to inform public opinion.”
NGE and SERAP called on President Tinubu and his government to:
- Publicly direct appropriate law enforcement and security agencies to promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigate the threats and attacks against Seun Okinbaloye and other journalists solely for carrying out their work and to ensure that any officials or other actors found responsible are cautioned, disciplined or prosecuted.
- Publicly reiterate their support for media freedom and to take decisive steps against those seeking to undermine it, and to take particular care to foster an independent, diverse and vigorous media.
- Publicly direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to work with appropriate law enforcement and security agencies to promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigate all threats and attacks on journalists and media organizations since May 29, 2023, and bring to justice those suspected to be responsible.
- Ensure access to justice and effective remedies for journalists and other media workers whose human rights are violated.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists also expressed shock and outrage at what it described as Wike’s “reckless and violent” statement.
In a statement signed by National President Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the NUJ noted that the minister’s statement constitutes a direct and unacceptable attempt to intimidate and silence the press, thereby gravely undermining press freedom and the foundational principles of democracy in Nigeria.
The union explained that it had deliberately delayed issuing a statement on the matter, holding a sincere belief that Wike would, upon reflection, demonstrate immediate remorse and promptly withdraw his dangerous comment.
However, it said that the regrettable absence of any such retraction or apology strongly suggests that the statement was not a momentary lapse but rather a deliberate and intentional act designed to intimidate.
“This calculated silence deepens our concern and reinforces the perception that the threat was intentional,” the NUJ stated.
The NUJ described the impact of Wike’s statement on journalists.
“This incendiary comment from a high-ranking government official is not only deeply disturbing but also creates a climate of fear for journalists striving to uphold their professional duties,” the statement read.
“It sends a dangerous message that critical reporting will be met with hostility and threats of violence, which is entirely antithetical to the spirit of a free and open society.”
The NUJ demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from Wike for his “reprehensible” remarks.
“Furthermore, we call upon the Federal Government to swiftly and unequivocally condemn this threat, demonstrating its commitment to protecting journalists and safeguarding the independence of the media,” the union stated.
“It is imperative that the government takes concrete steps to ensure that journalists can perform their essential role without fear of reprisal or harm.”
The NUJ urged all stakeholders to stand together against attacks on press freedom.
“We urge all media organizations, civil society groups, and advocates for democracy to stand in solidarity against this blatant attack on press freedom,” the statement added.
“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.”
The joint condemnation by NGE, SERAP, and NUJ represents a unified front by Nigeria’s major journalism and civil society organisations against what they perceive as escalating threats to press freedom.
The call for investigation and accountability places pressure on the Tinubu administration to demonstrate its commitment to media freedom through concrete action.
The NUJ’s observation that Wike’s failure to apologise suggests the threat was “intentional” rather than a “momentary lapse” escalates the gravity of the matter and increases pressure on the minister.
For President Tinubu, the demands from these organisations present a test of his administration’s commitment to press freedom and democratic values.
Nigeria’s drop to 122nd position on the World Press Freedom Index and the statistic of 56 journalists assaulted or arrested in a single month paint a troubling picture of the environment in which Nigerian journalists operate.
The question now is whether the Tinubu government will respond to these calls for investigation and accountability — or whether the culture of impunity for threats against journalists will continue unchecked.
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