Victor EzejaNobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has condemned the imposition of ₦5 million fine by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Channels Television over the controversial interview with Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
The NBC had in a letter dated 27th March, sanctioned Channels Television for allegedly violating the NBC code in the programme, “Politics Today” anchored by Seun Akibaloye in which Datti Baba-Ahmed appeared to speak on the last presidential election.
The broadcast regulatory body in the letter signed by its Director General, Balarabe Ilelah, said Datti’s comment in the programme was capable of inciting public disorder and therefore violated some sections of the broadcasting code.
“Consequently, on the following infractions, Channels Television is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of N5,000,000 (five million naira) only in the first instance,” he said, adding, that any further violations by the station would attract higher sanctions.
“You are advised to pay within two weeks from the day of receipt of this letter or the penalty will be graduated,” Ilelah indicated in the letter.
Datti while speaking on the programme called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief Justice of Nigeria not to swear in Bola Tinubu, whom INEC declared as the president-elect, arguing that declaring Tinubu as the winner and issuing him a certificate of return was against the constitution.
He further stated that whoever swears in Tinubu has “ended Democracy” in Nigeria.
Reacting to the sanction by NBC, Prof Soyinka in his statement titled”Fascism on Course,” released on Friday, said he watched the interview and saw that the presenter made frantic efforts to call Datti to order and ensure fair hearing.
The Nobel Laureate said he could not understand how the television station should be faulted for the outburst of the LP vice presidential candidate.
“May I cease this opportunity, by the way, to condemn the sanctions imposed on CHANNELS Television which anchored the performance of the LP candidate,” Soyinka stated.
“As stated, I watched the programme keenly – saw the valiant efforts of the interviewer to ensure fair hearing. I fail to understand just where the station could be faulted, except from a disposition for injustice.”
READ ALSO: Obidients, Baba-Ahmed Ready To Debate With Soyinka On Channels – LP Spokesperson
Soyinka, who was responding to the reactions trailing his criticism of Datti’s comment on the programme, further told the NBC that “To sustain that penalty is to give joy to others who turn Internet into a soakaway for their rancid emissions, yet feel that others should be silenced,” referring to Obidients – supporters of the LP presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, who had attacked him on social for opposing what Datti said and also describing them as people with fascist tendency.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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