Omoyele Sowore, leader of the Take it Back Movement on Friday blasted President Muhammadu Buhari over the shutdown of African Independent television (AIT) and Raypower by fiat by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled federal government.
The Take It back Movement in a statement on Friday strongly condemned the suspension of DAAR Communications’ broadcasting licence on Thursday by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The Movement remarked: “the NBC issued a vague statement yesterday naming DAAR Communications’ partisan broadcasting as justification for the suspension and, by singling out this media house, has cemented itself in the public eye as an arm of oppression for the present government.”
The Movement advocated that “the public must be invited to look beyond the excuses offered by the Commission and ask why this particular media network has been penalised in this extreme way.”
Sowore declared in the statement: It noted: “News outlets that are not as critical of the current government enjoy the full cooperation of the NBC while DAAR Communications and similar media houses continue to find their businesses at the mercy of the Commission.
ALSO READ: Dokpesi protests Buhari’s shutdown of AIT, RayPower
“Today, the NBC has become a tool for partisan harassment. This undermines the notion of a free press; Singling out one media organisation with accusations of partisanship while ignoring the many outlets that are clearly organs and mouthpieces of the APC and the Buhari government is crass hypocrisy.
“The Take it Back Movement, therefore, believes that, in this age of new media, the Commission is moribund and should therefore be eliminated.
“This recent act is part of an ongoing attack on the press and the constitutional right to free speech. In Buhari’s regime, we have witnessed the unlawful and unjust sanctions against media organisations and the arrests of several media personalities who have been bold enough to speak truth to power.
“Time and again, Nigerian leadership has made it clear that they have no intention of acting in the best interest of the Nigerian masses or being called to account for any of their actions.
“As Nigeria continues to regress into absolute tyranny and totalitarianism, the Take it Back Movement is committed to the struggle to liberate and speak out against injustices wherever and whenever it can.”
Meanwhile, the NBC has complied with a court order and has since re-opened AIT and Raypower radio.
Post Views: 117
You may be interested
NPFL: Finidi Satisfied With Rivers United’s Draw Vs Remo Stars
Webby - November 18, 2024Rivers United head coach, Finidi George has expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance in Sunday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)…
Van Nistelrooy Applies For Vacant Coventry Coaching Job
Webby - November 16, 2024According to talkSPORT, (Yahoo! Sport) Van Nistelrooy has already applied for the vacant manager role at Championship side Coventry City.This…
Done Deal: Falconets Forward Joins American Club Carolina Ascent
Webby - November 16, 2024Former Falconets forward Opeyemi Ajakaye has joined USL Super League club, Carolina Ascent FC on loan.Ajakaye linked up with Carolina…