The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has petitioned the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), calling for sanctions against Channels Television for allegedly violating the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.
In a petition dated March 30, 2023, and signed by the Director, Media and Publicity of the campaign council, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on behalf of the Special Adviser, Media, Public Affairs and Communications to the President- elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, the APC accused Channels TV of allowing the Labour Party’ s Vice Presidential candidate, Datti Baba- Ahmed, to make several incendiary comments that impugned the integrity of the February 25, 2023 presidential elections.
Tinubu, who cited Section 14. 0. 1 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code 6th edition, urged the NBC to investigate the breaches and apply sanctions where necessary. He accused Baba- Ahmed of making a fallacious statement that the Labour Party won the elections and that President Muhammadu Buhari should not swear in the President- elect because he did not score 25% of the vote in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tinubu argued that Baba- Ahmed’ s statement was subversive since the matter is before the tribunal and is among the issues submitted in their petition to the courts for adjudication. He maintained that INEC’ s final result, which placed the Labour Party as third, is the only factual figure empirically collated.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council’ s petition against Channels TV stemmed from a segment of its program ‘ Politics Today, ‘ which airs daily at 7 pm on weekdays. Tinubu argued that the broadcaster is liable when a guest makes a wild statement that is inaccurate and not based on fact. He accused Channels TV of violating the broadcasting code by allowing Baba- Ahmed to make comments that undermined the constituted authority given to INEC in the 1999 Constitution, the body vested with the powers to conduct and announce the results of national general elections in Nigeria.
In reaction to the petition, Channels TV has denied any wrongdoing, saying it has always been professional and balanced in its reportage. The broadcaster maintains that its programs are governed by the highest ethical and professional standards, and it has consistently adhered to the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.
A statement issued by the Managing Director of Channels TV, Mr. John Momoh, stressed that the channel is a responsible and professional news that upholds the tenets of free speech, democracy, and the rule of law. Momoh also assured the public that the channel would continue to provide fair and balanced coverage of events without fear or favour.
Meanwhile, the petition has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some condemning it as an attempt to stifle free speech and press freedom. Others, however, supported the APC’ s call for sanctions against Channels TV, saying the broadcaster should be held accountable for airing unverified claims that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. The NBC is yet to react to the petition, and it remains unclear if it will sanction Channels TV.
Source: Vanguard Television
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