26th April, 2021
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Nigerians have condemned the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for suspending “Politics Today” show on Channels TV.
The acting director-general of NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba announced the suspension of the popular programme in a letter to the managing director of the broadcast station dated Monday, April 26, 2021. According to NBC, during an interview hosted by Seun Okinbaloye on Sunday night, the spokesman of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) Emma Powerful made several secessionist and inciting declarations on air without caution or reprimand by the TV station.
The commission also slammed a N5 million fine on the TV outfit for breaching the broadcast code provided in Section 15 of the code for its infractions.
However, many Nigerians are calling out the federal government for NBC’s action.
The People’s Democratic Party called the action draconian. Read some reactions:
https://twitter.com/thetommyk_/status/1386750209871450113?s=20
NBC suspension of Channels TV for interviewing IPOB Leader is illegal and unjustifiable. Our court in the case of NOSDRA v. EXXONMOBIL held that regulatory agencies are not empowered to arbitrarily impose sanction without recourse to the court. The attack on free press must stop. — FESTUS OGUN (@mrfestusogun) April 26, 2021
If NBC can suspend Channels TV that has won best TV station for over 10 years because they interviewed IPOB leader, I'm afraid that what we practice is audio freedom of speech. You're surprised Jack picked Ghana over Nigeria? There you go.
— Sammy Sammy (@scad_official) April 26, 2021
We have over 50 million smartphones in the hand of Nigerians, at the moment Channels TV has over 3k live viewers on Youtube, and NBC think their sanction is of any threat.
Brain deads!
— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) April 26, 2021
Channels TV offered their platform to Miyetti Allah, a terrorist organization that has was ranked "the fourth most deadliest terror group in the world" by the USA. Nigeria Broadcasting Commission NBC, did nothing.
Same NBC banned Channels for interviewing IPOB. Terrorist Govt. — Mazi @FestusGreen (@FestusGreen) April 26, 2021
Channels TV offered their platform to Miyetti Allah, a terrorist organization that has was ranked "the fourth most deadliest terror group in the world" by the USA. Nigeria Broadcasting Commission NBC, did nothing.
Same NBC banned Channels for interviewing IPOB. Terrorist Govt.
— Mazi @FestusGreen (@FestusGreen) April 26, 2021 With all that has been happening in Nigeria plus the fine that Channels TV has been slammed with it's obvious that this administration recognises only one Tribe as the supreme tribe. The rest of us are second class citizens and it seems the igbos have it worse.
— YourFavLawyer (@jagganiyu) April 26, 2021
Miyetti Allah Leader of Killer Fulani Herdsmen Appeared on Channels TV – NO SUSPENSION.
Sheikh Gumi Spokesperson for deadly Fulani Bandits Appeared on Channels TV – NO SUSPENSION
IPOB appears on Channels TV to say their own side of the story – SUSPENSION!
APC, Terrorist Govt! — Ada-Eze (@Real_AdaKing) April 26, 2021
Miyetti Allah, President of Miyetti Allah, Bello Abdullahi, Sunday Igboho, Shekau, Gumi, Pantami, and dozens others, reportedly have close ties with local and international terrorist organizations.
But Channels TV have been banned for speaking with Emma Powerful of IPOB / ESN?
— Mazi @FestusGreen (@FestusGreen) April 26, 2021
Channels tv busted Nig Govt. The IPOB spokesman stated categorically that FGN never came to court on many occasions regarding proscriotuin and tagging IPOB terrorist. The whole world heard from IPOB. FGN was mad. They sanction Channels for keeping us informed. Ìlú Jogbo 🇳🇬. — Mr Right (@OtunMuri) April 26, 2021
The same NBC that unlook every time I watch Miyetti Allah’s Saleh Alhassan on Channel Tv & is doing me like I should break my television or sue the station for spreading hate & fear. Same NBC just fined Channels Tv N5million for interviewing IPOB rep. Truly, there was a country.
— B h a d o o s k y (@BhadmusAkeem) April 26, 2021
NBC suspended channels TV and fined them 5million naira for granting an interview with IPOB's Emma Powerful. — Neche (@Neche201) April 26, 2021
Suspending Channels tv for giving everyone a platform to tell their side of the story but, wondering why Twitter a platform that gives everyone a platform to tell their side of the story set up in Ghana.
— Leo Dasilva (@SirLeoBDasilva) April 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/DanielRegha/status/1386746095175405571?s=20
But did nothing when they interviewed terrorist spokesman Sheikh Gumi!
Chai!