BON Tasks Stakeholders On Fair Play In Edo Polls

Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria (BON) has urged all stakeholders and participants in the coming Edo State governorship election to ensure a level playing field for all participants.

Comrade Salihu Dembos, chairman of BON and director-general of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), who was represented by his vice, Tony Akiotu, stated this at the 79th General Assembly held in Benin City.

He lamented that the broadcast industry was in danger because of its challenges.

According to him, Edo State is known for setting standards for credible elections and does not expect anything less.

According to him, “Our job as stakeholders in the Nigerian project is to see that each time there is an election circle, the business of conducting elections is hitch-free and violence-free, without the attendant consequences of electoral violence and loss of lives.

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“As BON, we want to appeal to the people of Edo State, to the governor, to do everything possible to ensure that the election that will happen very soon in this state is free, fair, transparent and free of violence.

“It is when this happens that our democracy will be deemed as growing, and we believe that Edo is one of the states in Nigeria that always set the standard for free and fair, credible elections and Mr Governor, we know that you are a democrat and will allow for a level playing field for all the actors for that realisation to come through.”

In the state of the broadcast industry, he called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the sector. He said the issue of irregular power supply and new tariffs by DISCOs that are within the reach of its members were affecting broadcasting,” he said.

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by the commissioner for communication and orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the administration would continue to support the media where necessary in the build-up to the governorship election.

He said, “In Edo State, we have remained committed to supporting the media and promoting a free, independent, and diverse media landscape, particularly during this critical time in the build-up to the September 21 governorship election.