Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned what he described as a “disgraceful and dangerous threat” allegedly issued by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against broadcaster Seun Okinbaloye.
In a statement released on Saturday through his media office, Atiku said it was unacceptable for a serving minister to publicly suggest violence against a journalist over a professional opinion expressed on television.
Atiku described the remark as reckless and warned that such rhetoric from public officials poses a threat to democratic values.
The statement read, “This is not just reckless; it is a chilling signal of how far this government has descended into intolerance, lawlessness, and naked abuse of power.
“It was not banter. It was a threat clear, direct, and deeply sinister.”
He warned that when government officials begin to use violent language against members of the media, it signals a dangerous erosion of democratic norms.
“When those entrusted with authority begin to speak the language of violence against the press, democracy itself is under attack,” he said.
The former vice president further argued that the development reflects a broader trend of hostility towards dissent under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, Wike’s remarks were not an isolated incident but part of a pattern where criticism of government actions is met with intimidation.
The statement said, “Wike’s outburst is not an isolated slip, but a symptom of a broader, more dangerous pattern under the administration of Bola Tinubu.
“A pattern where dissent is criminalised, criticism is met with hostility, and intimidation has become the default language of governance.”
Atiku added that in established democracies, such comments would attract swift disciplinary action.
“In sane democracies, such a statement would trigger immediate resignation or dismissal. In today’s Nigeria, it is becoming frighteningly routine,” he said.
The Atiku Media Office demanded an immediate public apology from Wike to Okinbaloye and the wider Nigerian media community.
It also called on the Federal Government to repudiate what it described as dangerous rhetoric and provide assurances for the safety of journalists.
“We therefore demand an immediate and unconditional public apology from Nyesom Wike to Seun Okinbaloye and the entire Nigerian media community,” the statement said.
It further urged the Tinubu administration to offer “a clear and public repudiation of this dangerous rhetoric” and provide “concrete assurances for the safety and protection of journalists across Nigeria.”
Atiku warned that failure to address the situation could reinforce fears that the government is increasingly intolerant of dissenting voices.
“If a prominent journalist can be threatened so brazenly on national television, what protection exists for the ordinary Nigerian?” he asked.
He added that allowing such incidents to go unchecked could undermine democratic institutions and weaken press freedom in the country.
“Anything short of this will confirm what many Nigerians already fear, that this government is not merely intolerant of dissent, but increasingly comfortable with the language and instruments of repression,” the statement added.
