Na serious wahala dey for media circle as broadcasters don vex reach to threaten say dem go boycott all press briefings wey dey come from Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. The whole mata start from one comment wey Wike make during live interview for Channels Television on Friday, April 3.
Wike yarn say if to say he get means, he for shoot Channels TV anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, because of how Okinbaloye dey ask question. The minister talk say, “If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.” Na dis kain talk make Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) come rise up.
IBAN, wey be di recognized body for all independent broadcast stations for Nigeria, describe Wike statement as violent. Dem say such language from public official fit dey intimidate journalists and even make people begin dey accept hostility against media. For dia statement wey Ahmed Ramalan and Fidelis Duker sign as chairman and Acting General Secretary, IBAN talk say journalists for Nigeria already dey face plenty wahala.
Dem mention say from Press Freedom Index, Nigeria dey rank 122 out of 180 countries. Journalists dey face surveillance, attacks, and even arrest anyhow. IBAN yarn say, “Remarks of this nature from a senior government figure only worsen an already difficult environment for media professionals.”
Now, IBAN don give Wike serious demand. Dem want full retraction of di statement and public apology to Okinbaloye and all media people. Dem also talk say di minister must reassure people say he dey committed to non-violence and respect for press freedom, as Sections 22 and 39 of Nigerian Constitution talk am.
If Wike no do wetin dem ask, IBAN say dem go advise all independent broadcast stations to suspend coverage of all press briefings, media chats, and official news conferences wey FCT Minister dey host. Dem talk say, “This is not a step IBAN takes lightly.”
For him own side, Seun Okinbaloye don respond to di whole mata. Di Channels TV anchor talk say he no dey afraid of Wike. Okinbaloye yarn say violent rhetoric no get place for democracy. He talk say, “The fact remains that our democracy is in danger if we allow one-way traffic in balloting.”
He explain say him comment no be warning to opposition or ruling party alone, but to all Nigerians wey believe in development of di nation. Okinbaloye add say, “While that is noted, it is important that violent rhetoric or threats are never appropriate responses to dissent in a democratic society.”
Di broadcaster make am clear: “Let me clear: I am not afraid and I will never be intimidated. We may disagree and as humans we may err, but dissent must never descend into hostility or harm.”
Even Amnesty International don condemn Wike remark. Dem call am “reckless and violent language” wey fit endanger journalists and undermine press freedom for Nigeria. Di international organization talk say such talk from government official no good at all.
As dis dey happen, other news dey still dey ground. For Benin City, Nigerian Army hold pull-out parade for Major General Erema Akerejola as he retire. For Ogbomoso, former lawmaker Ayoade Adeseun don resign as Mayegun of Ogbomosoland after quarrel with Soun, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
Opposition parties and civil society groups don raise concern over proposed voter revalidation exercise by INEC ahead of 2027 elections. Dem warn say di exercise fit cause disenfranchisement. INEC don even tell Resident Electoral Commissioners to suspend preparations for now.
Fresh controversy don also come up about $1.2 million lobbying agreement wey former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar sign with Washington-based firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. Documents wey dem file with U.S. Department of Justice show di contract na to improve Atiku standing among policymakers.
But di main gist wey dey make noise na still di Wike and Okinbaloye mata. As broadcasters dey wait to see wetin go happen next, many people dey watch to see if Wike go apologize or if IBAN go carry out dia threat to boycott FCT briefings. Di tension dey high for media industry.
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