Channels Television broadcasters, Chamberlain Usor and Kayode Okikiolu have reportedly been summoned by National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
According to human rights activist, Chidi Odinkalu on Twitter;
There is confirmation that @nbcgovng has summoned the presenters of @sunrisedailynow for this morning.
There is confirmation that @nbcgovng has summoned the presenters of @sunrisedailynow for this morning. pic.twitter.com/UKlS31Gu9W
— Chidi Odinkalu (@ChidiOdinkalu) August 26, 2021
Confirming the incident, a source at Channels Tv told DailyPost that the presenters were on their way to Abuja to honour an invitation by the NBC.
He said;
They were invited because of the interview with Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom. I don’t have much details yet.
The summon by the NBC may not be unconnected to the utterances made by some guests that featured on Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday.
They included the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and a former Nigerian Navy officer, Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (retd.).
Governor Ortom, during his appearance as a guest on Sunrise Daily hosted by the two broadcasters on Tuesday, accused President Muhammadu Buhari of trying to “Fulanise” Nigeria, describing his administration as the worst in handling security matters.
Read Also: Ortom Says Buhari’s Administration ‘Worst’ In Handling Security
He said he was disappointed at the way the president has handled certain critical matters in the country, especially insecurity.
While, the former Nigerian Navy Officer on his part claimed;
The Government knows those behind Boko Haram & other terrorists. Some people just want this country to be Islamised. We have never been this polarised & if we are not careful we will go down the precipice.
(2) pic.twitter.com/TttVVs2Yq4
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) August 25, 2021
It would be recalled that earlier today, in a letter dated August 24 and addressed to ChannelsTV, Director General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah said the comments during the program were “divisive, inciting and unfair”.
Read Also: NBC Queries Channels TV Over Recent Interview With Benue Gov, Samuel Ortom
The Director General stressed that Ortom’s statement negates some provisions of Nigeria Broadcasting Code and;
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 receipt of this letter.
As at the time of filing this report, Channels Television had not reacted to news of the purported summon.
More details to come.
