More Trouble Hits Wike Over Threat To Shoot Journalist
Global human rights watchdog, the Amnesty International, has strongly condemned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following his “reckless and violent” outburst where he suggested he (Wike) would have shot a journalist during a live television broadcast.
The minister, known for his abrasive rhetoric, made the comments during a live interaction with Arise TV, sparking immediate backlash from civil rights advocates who say the remarks endanger the lives of media practitioners in Nigeria.
During the broadcast, Wike had expressed his irritation at a journalist’s line of questioning, stating: “If there’s anyway to broke (sic) the screen, I would have shot him…”
In a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, Amnesty International described the minister’s language as a dangerous incitement to violence that violates both domestic laws and international human rights standards.
“Apart from inciting violence, Wike’s remarks violated Nigeria’s broadcasting code that the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is supposed to be enforcing,” the rights group noted.
Amnesty International warned that such violent intent, coming from a high-ranking member of the federal cabinet, carries the risk of “normalizing violence” and painting a bullseye on the backs of journalists simply for performing their professional duties.
“This level of violent intent coming from a member of Nigeria’s federal cabinet is unlawful and unacceptable. Mr. Wike must withdraw his violent statement immediately and apologise,” the statement added.
Amnesty International strongly condemns the reckless and violent language of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr. Nyesom Wike in which he stated that he can respond to a statement by a journalist with shooting. Mr. Wike stated on live television that: “If there’s…
The incident has once again put the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in the spotlight, with critics questioning why the regulator — often quick to sanction stations for perceived infractions — has remained silent on the minister’s televised threat.
Wike’s tenure as FCT Minister has been marked by several controversies, but this latest threat against a member of the press marks a new low in the government’s relationship with the media.
