26th August, 2021
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has fired a query to Channels Television over the explosive interview it granted to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
Ortom, in an interview with Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, said President Muhammadu Buhari was pushing him to think that what they said about him, that he had a hidden agenda in this country was true because it was very clear that he wanted to Fulanise but that he was not the first Fulani president.
He said Shagari and Yar’Adua were Fulani Presidents and that they were the best in the history.
Ortom added: “But President Buhari is the worst President when it comes to issues of security and keeping his promises. Go back to 2015, what did he say, human rights issues, he talked about press freedom, about the economy, corruption, security, tell me one that Mr President has achieved?”
But the NBC has fired a query to Channels TV over the interview it described as sensational and one-sided.
NBC’s letter was dated August 24, 2021, and signed by its Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah.
The commission said ChannelsTV’s action negated Sections 1.10.4, 3.1.1, 3.3.1(b), 3.3.1(e), 3.11.1(a), and 3.12.2 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
‘TheNBC said the programme which had as guest the Executive Governor of Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom, was observed to contain inciting, divisive and unfair comments which were not thoroughly interrogated by the anchors.
The commission said consequently, Channels Television was required to explain why appropriate sanctions should not be applied for these infractions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
“Your response should reach the Commission within 24 hours of the receipt of this letter,” the query letter stated.