Osun Poll: Be Fair, NBC Tells Broadcasting Stations
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has appealed to broadcast organisations in Osun State to give equal opportunity and adequate coverage to all political parties before, during and after the August 9 governorship election in the state.
The Director General of the commission, Mr. Emeka Nba, gave the appeal at a stakeholders parley with representatives of political parties and media executive in the state in Osogbo on Friday.
Speaking on the theme, “Ensuring decency and fairness in political broadcasts,” Nba who was represented by the Director of Monitoring, Mr. Chris Nwoyo, urged broadcast organisations to exhibit professionalism through total adherence to NBC codes on electoral matters.
The director general said the commission would not hesitate to sanction any media house that violated its rules and regulations; stressing the need for broadcasting organisations to work assiduously for sustainability of the nation’s democratic governance.
In his remarks, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Sunday Akere, urged politicians to engage in issue-based campaign rather than attacking personality.
Akere said politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair but an instrument for socio-economic and political development.
The commissioner lauded NBC for its efforts to ensure free and credible governorship election in the state.
In their goodwill messages, Osun State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Lawrence Martins and Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maishanu, represented by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs. Folashade Odoro, urged stakeholders in the electoral process to play the game according to the rules.
They called on politicians to eschew violence during their campaign.
Participants including the Director General of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Soji Fadehan, and General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mrs. Folashade Hastrup, lauded the NBC for reminding them of their responsibilities during electioneering process.
They promised to cooperate with the NBC to ensure a credible governorship election in the state.