Nyesom Wike is facing a stern warning from the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) over some rather explosive comments he made about Channels TV host Seun Okinbaloye. During a live TV interview, Wike was reacting to Okinbaloye's analysis on democracy when he said, "If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him." While Wike later clarified that his comment wasn't meant to be taken literally, IBAN still sees it as a huge red flag, claiming that such statements can be perceived as intimidation and undermine a safe working environment for journalists.
As the representative body for independent broadcast stations in Nigeria, IBAN is taking Wike's remarks very seriously, and has issued a stern warning that could have major consequences for the FCT minister's public appearances. In a statement signed by chairman Ahmed Ramalan and acting general secretary Fidelis Duker, the group expressed concern over the broader challenges faced by media practitioners in Nigeria, including the country's dismal ranking of 122 out of 180 on the global press freedom index.
IBAN is calling on Wike to take immediate action to rectify the situation by retracting his statement and issuing a public apology to both Okinbaloye and the wider media community. They're also reaffirming his commitment to press freedom, as outlined in sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 constitution. However, if Wike fails to comply within a
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