The Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria, IBAN, has asked Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to retract a remark he made about Channels TV anchor, Seun Okinbaloye.
IBAN has also threatened to boycott Wike’s media engagements until he tenders a public apology.
This was contained in a statement signed by Ahmed Ramalan, IBAN chairman; and Fidelis Duker, acting general secretary.
Wike had said he would have “broken his TV screen and shot” Okinbaloye, over his comments that a one-party system would destroy democracy in Nigeria.
This has attracted widespread condemnation, with Amnesty International describing his remarks as “reckless and violent language”.
In their statement, IBAN urged Wike to reaffirm his commitment to press freedom in line with sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 constitution.
“Should the minister fail to meet these requests within a reasonable period, IBAN will have no choice but to advise all independent broadcast stations to suspend coverage of all press briefings, media chats, and official news conferences hosted by the FCT minister,” the statement reads.
