Amnesty knocks Nyesom Wike over ‘shoot’ remark

Nigeria’s already heated political atmosphere took a sharper turn over the weekend after Amnesty International condemned a controversial comment by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing it as dangerous and unlawful.

The backlash follows a remark made by Wike during a televised media briefing, where he reacted to comments by Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye on growing fears that Nigeria could drift toward a one-party state.

“I was surprised yesterday… if there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” Wike said, referencing the journalist’s analysis on Politics Today.

The comment, widely circulated across media platforms, quickly drew criticism, with Amnesty warning that such language from a top government official risks normalising violence against journalists.

In a statement released Saturday, the organisation said the minister’s words not only incited violence but also violated the broadcasting standards set by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission.

“What Wike said carries the danger of encouraging the targeting of journalists for doing their job,” Amnesty stated, calling on the minister to retract the statement and issue a public apology.

Political tension behind the outburst

Wike’s remarks did not emerge in isolation. They come amid intensifying political debates around Nigeria’s democratic direction ahead of the 2027 elections.

In recent days, opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have raised concerns that the administration of President Bola Tinubu may be benefiting from developments that could weaken opposition parties.

The controversy deepened earlier in the week after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced changes to the leadership recognition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing a Court of Appeal ruling.

INEC said it would no longer recognise any factional leadership within the party pending the resolution of an ongoing legal dispute, invoking the legal principle of status quo ante bellum.

However, the faction linked to former Senate President David Mark rejected the decision, accusing the electoral body of acting under political pressure.

A growing concern for press freedom

Amnesty International warned that rhetoric like Wike’s could have broader implications beyond political disagreements, particularly for press freedom in Nigeria.

The organisation stressed that statements suggesting violence, even metaphorically, can embolden hostility toward journalists and erode democratic norms.

With political tensions already rising and narratives around a potential one-party dominance gaining traction, the incident highlights how quickly public discourse can escalate, and the risks when powerful voices cross certain lines.

U.S. Supreme Court Invalidates Trump-Era Tariffs on Nigeria and Other Nations