ABUJA, Nigeria – Amnesty International has issued a strong condemnation of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following his recent televised remarks directed at Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye. During a media chat in Abuja on Friday, Wike expressed violent intent toward the broadcaster, stating: “If there’s anyway to broke (sic) the screen, I would have shot him.”
In a statement made available to Okay News on Saturday, April 4, 2026, the human rights organization described Wike’s language as “reckless and violent,” warning that such rhetoric carries the dangerous potential to normalize violence and encourage the targeting of journalists for performing their professional duties. Amnesty International asserted that these remarks not only incite violence but also violate Nigeria’s broadcasting code, which the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is mandated to enforce.
“This level of violent intent coming from a member of Nigeria’s federal cabinet is unlawful and unacceptable,” the statement read. The organization further demanded that the Minister immediately withdraw his statement and issue a formal apology. The controversy follows a segment on Politics Today where Okinbaloye discussed the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the potential emergence of a one-party state in Nigeria.
