Independent Broadcast Association has demanded that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, publicly apologise to Channels Television anchor Seun Okinbaloye over a remark he made during a recent media chat.
The association described Wike’s comment as unacceptable and threatened to boycott all his future media engagements if he refused to retract the statement.
In the original remark, Wike said he was angered by Okinbaloye’s views on Nigeria’s democracy and declared: “If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”
IBAN Chairman Ahmed Ramalan and Acting General Secretary Fidelis Duker issued the demand in a statement, warning that failure to apologise would force independent stations to suspend coverage of the minister’s press briefings, media chats and official events.
“Should the minister fail to meet these requests within a reasonable period, IBAN will have no choice but to advise all independent broadcast stations to suspend coverage of all press briefings, media chats, and official news conferences hosted by the FCT minister,” the statement said.
The association added: “We hope the minister will take the necessary corrective action so that normal coverage can continue without interruption.”
“I’m not afraid, and I will never be intimidated”
Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, has said he is not afraid and will not be intimidated following controversy surrounding remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Okinbaloye made this known during a broadcast on Sunday, where he acknowledged the outpouring of solidarity from civil society groups, viewers, and both local and international organisations.
“I sincerely want to thank civil society organisations, our viewers, for your love and your comments and your solidarity… Your support is deeply appreciated and reinforces our collective commitment to truth and accountability,” he said.
He stressed that his comments were not directed at any political group but at all Nigerians, adding that “this is not a warning to the opposition or the ruling party, but to all Nigerians who believe in the development of our nation.”
Despite the clarification, he cautioned against the use of inflammatory language, saying “violent rhetoric or suggestive threats are never appropriate responses to dissent in a democratic society,” especially during an election period when “clear and consistent assurances of safety are critical.”
Reaffirming his position, Okinbaloye said, “Let me be clear, I’m not afraid, and I will never be intimidated,” adding that journalism “grounded in ethics and global best practices remains a duty to the public, not a concession to power.”
