The Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN)has demanded that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike retract recent remarks made about Channels TV host Seun Okinbaloye and issue a public apology.

The controversy arose after Wike, during a live television interview,reacted to Okinbaloye's analysis on democracy by stating, "If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him."

Although the minister later clarified that the comment was not meant literally, the statement provoked widespread criticism, including from Amnesty International, which described it as "reckless and violent language."

IBAN, representing independent broadcast stations across Nigeria, voiced significant concern over Wike's comments in a statement signed by chairman Ahmed Ramalan and acting general secretary Fidelis Duker.

The association warned that such remarks, even if not literal, are inappropriate for a public official and could be interpreted as intimidation, fostering a hostile environment for journalists.

Highlighting the precarious state of press freedom in Nigeria, which ranks 122 out of 180 on the global index, IBAN noted that media practitioners frequently face challenges such as surveillance, attacks, and arbitrary arrests.

The association urged Minister Wike to retract his statement, apologize to both Okinbaloye and the broader media community, and reaffirm his commitment to press freedom as enshrined in sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 constitution.

Failing to comply within a reasonable period, IBAN stated it would advise all independent broadcast stations to suspend coverage of all media engagements involving the FCT minister, an action aimed at protecting journalists and discouraging violent rhetoric.

Responding to the controversy on Sunday, Channels TV host, Seun Okinbaloye declared he is "not afraid" of Nyesom Wike and would never be intimidated.

He reaffirmed his original stance that a "one-way traffic in balloting" poses a threat to Nigeria's democracy, emphasizing this as a warning to all Nigerians who believe in national development, not just political parties.

Okinbaloye also revealed that Wike had directly called him following the backlash to clarify the intention behind his remarks.

While acknowledging this, Okinbaloye stressed the importance that "violent rhetoric or threats are never appropriate responses to dissent in a democratic society."

He reiterated his commitment to his journalistic role, stating, "I will continue to do what I love, asking the necessary questions and holding power to account," and asserted that while disagreements and errors are human, "dissent must never descend into hostility or harm."