By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing them as dangerous and indicative of growing intolerance within the current administration.
In a statement issued in Abuja on his Facebook page on Saturday, spokesperson Paul Ibe criticized Wike for remarks directed at journalist Seun Okinbaloye, in which the minister suggested he could respond to a professional opinion with violence.
The Atiku Media Office said the comment, made during a live television appearance, was not a joke but a direct and troubling threat that reflects a broader climate of hostility toward dissenting voices.
According to the statement, such rhetoric from a serving cabinet member sends a “chilling signal” about the state of governance and respect for press freedom in Nigeria. It warned that when public officials adopt violent language against journalists, it poses a serious risk to democratic principles.
The group further linked the incident to what it described as a pattern under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, alleging increasing intolerance for criticism and a tendency to respond to dissent with intimidation.
It argued that in established democracies, remarks of such gravity would typically result in resignation or dismissal, but warned that similar incidents are becoming increasingly common in Nigeria.
The statement questioned the basis of the minister’s reaction, noting that Okinbaloye had merely expressed concerns about political developments during his professional duties as a broadcaster.
Raising broader concerns, the Atiku Media Office warned that normalising threats against journalists could erode democratic institutions and create fear among citizens. It asked what level of protection ordinary Nigerians could expect if prominent media figures could be openly threatened.
The group called for an immediate and unconditional apology from Wike to Okinbaloye and the Nigerian media, as well as a clear condemnation of the remarks by the federal government. It also demanded concrete measures to guarantee the safety of journalists across the country.
The statement concluded with a warning that failure to act decisively would reinforce fears that the government is becoming increasingly repressive, while insisting that the media and the public would not be silenced by intimidation.
