NBC queries Channels TV over interview with Ortom

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has queried Channels Television over an interview granted to Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue state.

While appearing as a guest on Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, the governor accused President Muhammadu Buhari of trying to “Fulanise” Nigeria.

He also described the president’s decision to review grazing reserves across the country as unconstitutional.

“I’m disappointed with the presidency. One would expect that we’re in a democratic governance and the presidency would have understood this,” Ortom had said.

“I think Mr President was misquoted or he did it out of error. He should come out to apologise to Nigerians. There is no basis whatsoever for this to be going on when we have the Constitution.”

In a letter signed by Balarabe Ilelah, its director-general, and dated August 24, the NBC said Channels TV violated six of its codes during the broadcast of the interview.

The NBC said the comments of the governor were “divisive, inciting and unfair”, adding that Channels TV anchors did not “thoroughly interrogate” Ortom.

The commission asked Channels TV to, within 24 hours of receiving its letter, explain why it should not be sanctioned.

“The national broadcasting commission monitor the broadcast of your program Sunrise Daily between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Tuesday,” the letter reads.

“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.

“This negates the following provisions of the Nigeria broadcasting code. Consequently, ChannelsTtelevision is 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 receipt of this letter.”