The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been effectively shut out of Nigeria’s privately owned broadcast space following a sweeping decision by the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) to boycott all his media engagements.
The unprecedented move, announced on Sunday, directs member stations to halt coverage of the minister’s press briefings, interviews, and official activities until he retracts a controversial statement and issues a public apology.
The crisis was triggered by remarks made by Wike during a live appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, where he said of anchor Seun Okinbaloye: “If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”
Although the minister’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, moved quickly to downplay the comment, and Wike himself reportedly placed a personal call to Okinbaloye to clarify that no harm was intended, IBAN dismissed the explanations as inadequate.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Chairman, Ahmed Tijani Ramalan, and Acting General Secretary, Fidelis Duker, the association described the remark as unacceptable and potentially dangerous.
“Such language can be perceived as intimidation and risks normalising hostility towards the media,” the body warned, stressing that even hypothetical threats from public officials carry weight in a country where journalists already operate under pressure.
Citing Nigeria’s poor standing on global press freedom indices, IBAN said comments of that nature could further endanger media practitioners who face surveillance, harassment, and arbitrary arrests.
The association issued a three-point demand: a full retraction of the statement, a public apology to Okinbaloye and the broader media community, and a clear reaffirmation of Wike’s commitment to press freedom as guaranteed under the Constitution.
Until those conditions are met, IBAN’s directive effectively bans the FCT minister from Nigeria’s independent broadcast platforms—a significant blow to his media visibility and public engagement.
Describing the action as a necessary safeguard, the association noted that the decision was not taken lightly but was essential to protect journalists and uphold professional standards.
Despite the hardline stance, IBAN left the door open for resolution, stating pointedly that “the ball is in his court.”