Editors, SERAP Urge Tinubu To Probe Alleged Threats Against Seun Okinbaloye, Journalists

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

In a joint statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the groups called on the Tinubu government to “urgently take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Mr 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.”

Mr 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 Mr Wike claimed that, as a journalist, Mr Okinbaloye ought not to express personal opinions.

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.”

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

According to the groups, “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.”

The statement jointly signed by NGE president, Eze Anaba, and the general secretary, Onuoha Ukeh; and 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 Mr. Wike has sought to clarify his remarks, 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 organizations 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 (SLAPPs), 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.

“In August 2024 alone, at least fifty-six (56) journalists were assaulted or arrested while covering demonstrations across the country. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Nigeria has dropped 10 spots to 122nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.

“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party guarantee the right to freedom of expression and press freedom.

“Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution provides that every person shall have the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference. It further affirms the right to own, establish, and operate media outlets for the dissemination of information.

“Section 22 places a duty on the press, radio, television, and other media to uphold accountability by holding the government responsible to the people.

“The Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law protect criticism of public officials and political reporting including political discourse, commentary on public affairs, and discussion of human rights.

“The media plays a crucial role in exposing abuses of power, human rights violations, thus helping to ensure that the public is informed, that abuses are halted, that criminal perpetrators face justice, and that victims can seek redress.

“The free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues is essential. This implies a free press and other media able to comment on public issues without censorship or restraint and to inform public opinion.

“The right to information is a target of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the safety of journalists is a success indicator.

“The United Nations Plan of Action defines the safety of journalists as encompassing not only physical attacks but also prosecution, arrest, imprisonment and denial of journalistic access, as well as impunity for crimes against journalists.”

They therefore urged President Tinubu and his government to: “Publicly direct appropriate law enforcement and security agencies to promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigate the threats and attacks against Mr Seun Okinbaloye and other journalists solely for carrying out their work and to ensure that officials or other actors found responsible are cautioned, disciplined or prosecuted.

“Publicly reiterate their support for media freedom and to take decisive steps against those seeking to undermine it, and to take particular care to foster an independent, diverse and vigorous media.

“Publicly direct Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to work with appropriate law enforcement and security agencies to promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigate all threats and attacks on journalists and media organizations since May 29, 2023 and bring to justice those suspected to be responsible.

“Ensure access to justice and effective remedies for journalists and other media workers whose human rights are violated.”