Anger as NBC threatens to sanction Channels TV over anti-Buhari interview

Nigerians on social media have expressed anger over the National Broadcast Commission’s invitation of presenters of Channels Television over interviews perceived as unfavourable to the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Our correspondent gathered that the invitation may not be unconnected with the interview they had with the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

During the interview, Ortom slammed the Federal Government over open grazing and described Buhari’s directive on the review of grazing reserves across the country as unconstitutional.

The governor also accused Buhari of trying to “Fulanise” and “Islamise” Nigeria.

Ortom’s position generated an angry reaction from the Presidency, who accused the governor of inciting violence.

The television station, however, clarified that the presenters of the Channels TV Sunrise Daily show, Chamberlain Usoh, and Kayode Okikiolu, were not arrested.

“The entire anchors were invited for a meeting by the National Broadcasting Commission in Abuja and they have since returned from that meeting,” the television station said.

NBC threatens sanction

In a letter signed by NBC’s director-general, and dated August 24, the NBC threatened to sanction Channels TV, claiming it violated six of its codes during the broadcast of the interview.

It said Ortom’s interview “negates the provisions of the Nigeria broadcasting code. Consequently, Channels Television is required to explain why appropriate sanctions should not be applied for these infractions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.”

Nigerians react

The summons and threat to sanction the television station have aggravated angry reactions from Nigeria on Facebook and Twitter, a majority of whom accused the Federal Government of being dictatorial.

Wale Sowemimo:  There is so much anger in the land. You keep inflicting all sorts of pain on the people and you still want to take away from them their right to complain, cry, mourn, regret ever being where they are! It is only a very evil person that will inflict serious pain on his people and still forbid them from crying.

Oluwaseun Adepoju: I wonder if the right to freedom of speech and expression still exists in this country. I can only see intimidation and oppression in this.

Olanrewaju Olubayo Onanuga: But I am quite sure if the interview was pro-Buhari, no dust would be raised and there wouldn’t have been needing to invite anyone to Abuja by the NBC. Goodluck Jonathan warned of this but no one listened, when has governance become all about praise-singing without any room left for criticism.

Anayo Chukwuede Nwosu: Banana Republic, failed state! How can you explain this rubbish? They expect people not to mention the evil they’re propagating daily on innocent people. Shame on this failed government.

Godwin Brown: The NBC and Buhari’s cabinet should truly be ashamed of themselves. The only thing this government knows how to do is to keep intimidating and to keep causing all sorts of atrocities on its own citizens. Shame on you all.

Nnaji Pc Friday: They have conquered Nigerian when the media can no longer grant interviews to the citizens of Nigeria. Welcome to Afghanistan once again! Nigerian citizens can either fight their oppressors or die trying.

Also, Senator Shehu Sani said, “A journalist can only ask questions, he or she can’t be held responsible for the answers or the truths or facts contained in the answers. We can’t solve our problems by muzzling the press.”

Lucas @lucas4dominion added, “Nigerians need to rescue their nation from these vultures.
Patiently waiting for 2023 won’t do it, because they’ll either not leave or they will replace themselves with the worst.”

@AdewaleOTunde said, “It’s now crystal clear that Buhari is dragging us back as a nation.”

Bosun Oladimeji @bosunele said, “This is disappointing. This government is irresponsible. What’s their offence?”