There’s a growing conversation in Nigeria right now, and it’s all about what happened during a live show on Channels Television.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made a comment while speaking with TV presenter Seun Okinbaloye that didn’t sit well with a lot of people — especially journalists.
At some point during the interview, Wike said that if there was a way to “break the screen,” he would have “shot” the presenter. Now, whether that was said out of frustration or not, many people believe that’s not something a public official should say — especially on live TV.
NUJ Isn’t Having It
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has come out strongly, and they’re not taking this lightly.
Their president, Alhassan Yahaya, released a statement on Monday saying the union was shocked and honestly outraged by the comment. According to him, it was reckless, violent, and completely unacceptable.
From their point of view, this isn’t just about one statement — it’s about what it represents.
Why This Matters
The NUJ is basically saying: if journalists start feeling unsafe or threatened, it affects everyone.
The media is often called the “fourth estate” because it plays a big role in holding the government accountable. So when a top government official makes a comment that sounds like a threat — even if it wasn’t meant that way — it raises serious concerns.
They’re now calling on the government to step in and question the minister, stressing that this kind of situation shouldn’t just be ignored.
Wike’s Side of the Story
To be fair, Wike has responded. He said his words were taken out of context and that he didn’t mean to threaten anyone.
But here’s the thing — the NUJ and many Nigerians still feel the comment crossed a line. And in situations like this, perception matters just as much as intention.
Just Apologize
At this point, the NUJ is keeping it simple: they want an apology.
They believe that as a public figure, Wike should be more careful with his words, especially in a country where press freedom is already a sensitive issue.
And honestly, a quick apology could calm things down and show that there’s still respect for journalists and the work they do.
The Bigger Conversation
This whole situation has sparked mixed reactions online. Some people think it’s being blown out of proportion, while others believe it highlights a deeper issue about how the press is treated.
One thing is clear though — conversations like this matter.
Because at the end of the day, a threat to the press is a threat to the people.
What do you think — was it just a joke taken too far, or something more serious?
