The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have condemned “the reported threat by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against Channels Television presenter, Seun Okinbaloye,” and urged “the government of President Bola Tinubu to promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigate the threat.”

The groups called on the Tinubu-led government to “urgently take all necessary measures toensure the safety and security of Okinbaloye and other journalists facing threats to their safety and security solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and carrying out their legitimate journalistic work.”

Wike had, during a media chat in Abuja last Friday, said, “I was surprised yesterday (Thursday), totally surprised when I was watching Politics Today. Seun (Okinbaloye), if there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”

Okinbaloye had expressed concern that the 2027 elections were increasingly shaping up as a contest dominated by a single political party, citing the reported crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), but Wike claimed that, as a journalist, Okinbaloye ought not to express personal opinions.

But reacting, the NGE and SERAP said, “We are seriously concerned that press freedom is in a ‘downward spiral,’ with increasing intimidation, harassment, threats, and attacks against journalists and media freedom across the country.

“Public figures, including politicians, are subject to a higher degree of scrutiny and criticism. The threat against Okinbaloye illustrates the escalating threats to the safety and security of journalists and media freedom in the country.

“Like every individual, Okinbaloye is entitled to exercise his right to freedom of expression as a fundamental human right, including the right to seek, receive, and impart information of public interest. His role as a journalist does not diminish or deprive him of this right.”

A statement, jointly signed by NGE President, Eze Anaba, and the General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, as well as SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, read in part: “The right to freedom of expression applies to all kinds of information and ideas, including those that may shock, offend or disturb.

“Any form of effort to coerce the holding or not holding of any opinion is prohibited.”

“Although Wike has sought to clarify his remark, the threat should never have been made in the first place. The objective of those who threaten journalists remains the same: to chill public interest reporting by increasing the risks faced by journalists. Such conduct undermines press freedom and democratic accountability. This must stop.”

“The continuing failure by the Nigerian authorities to uphold press freedom and to effectively investigate and prosecute the growing cases of threats and attacks against journalists has emboldened those who wish to silence them.

“The failure also reflects wider impunity for human rights violations and disregard for the rule of law in Nigeria.

“Impunity for those who threaten, intimidate and harass journalists and media organisations contributes to the hostile environment for these human rights defenders. Nigerian authorities must end impunity for crimes against journalists.

“We note that the restrictions on civic space, human rights violations and suppression of the press in recent times take various forms, ranging from extrajudicial to unlawful detentions, enforced disappearances, malicious prosecutions and wrongful use of both legislation and law enforcement.

“We are concerned that security agencies and politicians continue to target journalists with lawsuits, generally for libel or criminal defamation, seeking exorbitant damages. Known as strategic lawsuits against public participation, the point of the legal action is not necessarily to win the lawsuit but to intimidate or exhaust the resources and morale of the other party.”

MEANWHILE, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has formally petitioned the United States Government through the American Embassy in Abuja, calling for a range of targeted sanctions against Wike over what it described as a sustained pattern of actions undermining democratic governance in Nigeria.

In a detailed communication addressed to the U.S. Ambassador, the civil rights organisation outlined a series of allegations bordering on electoral misconduct, subversion of constituted authority, sponsorship of political crises, and the erosion of judicial independence.

HURIWA, therefore, warned that “electoral democracy is under threat in Nigeria,” citing “the constriction of political space, the demonisation of dissent, sponsored crises in opposition parties, and mass defections orchestrated through enticement and coercion” as dangerous trends capable of derailing democratic governance.

It, however, urged the U.S. government to carefully review the claims and, where found credible, consider measures, such as visa restrictions and other diplomatic actions aimed at deterring further democratic backsliding.

The group said that Nigeria’s democratic system, though resilient since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999, is increasingly vulnerable due to what it described as the “constriction of political space, demonisation of dissent, and coercive political realignments.”

It warned that any derailment of democracy in Nigeria would have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global democratic norms.