IPOB Berates NBC over Sanction of Channels TV

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has berated the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for sanctioning Channels Television over its interview with the group on Sunday.

Gistlover reports that NBC on Monday suspended Channels TV’s programme, ‘Politics Today’, and fined the television station N5 million for breaching the broadcast code.

Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, The acting Director-General of NCC took the decision in a letter to the Managing Director of Channels TV titled, ‘Inciting Comments By Proscribed Group: Politics Today’

The commission accused the TV station of allowing the spokesman of the outlawed group, Emma Powerful, to make secessionist and inciting declarations on air without being cautioned or reprimanded by the station.

NBC also accused the station of allowing Powerful to allegedly make derogatory and misleading statements about the Nigerian Army, despite being proscribed by a court of law.

However, some Nigerians and the opposition PDP have taken to social media to condemn the commission for sanctioning the station and heating up the polity.

But in a statement on Tuesday by the group’s spokesman, IPOB accused NBC of being undemocratic and partial in its judgement.

The group said the NBC ignored broadcasts featuring discussions between a prominent Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, and bandits.

IPOB, however, said that the federal government “cannot suppress the truth as far as IPOB” and the group’s demand for a Biafran state is concerned.

The statement reads: “We are not surprised but along with all good men and women of conscience, we strongly condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this wicked and undemocratic action.

“How many times has the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gunmi, met with Fulani bandits and the outcome of their parley aired on national televisions without NBC batting an eyelid? How many times have the Boko Haram leader, Shekau’s message and threats been aired uncensored on national television without NBC imposing any sanctions?

“We have always said it, that Nigeria and its security agencies lose sleep when a matter has to do with IPOB and Biafra. Why is Nigeria always afraid of the truth?”

“We will always put the records straight because the facts will always speak for themselves.”