The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has queried Channels Television over an interview granted to Benue Governor Samuel Ortom on the TV’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ breakfast programme on Tuesday.
It was also gathered that the commission is not comfortable with an interview granted by a former Navy Commodore, Kunle Olawunmi, who alleged that current members of the Buhari cabinet are Boko Haram sponsors.
The Commission has since summoned anchors of the programme who honoured the invitation and are at the NBC office in Abuja.
Ortom in the interview, had accused President Muhammadu Buhari of trying to “Fulanise” Nigeria, stating that the President’s decision to review grazing reserves across the country is unconstitutional.
But, the NBC, in a letter to the television station titled, ‘Notice of Infraction’, 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 regulator’s letter was dated August 24, 2021, and signed by its Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah.
It said the actions allegedly 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.
“Consequently, Channels Television 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 the receipt of this letter,” the NBC said.