Broadcasters disown IBAN’s threat to boycott Wike’s media engagement

Owners of some television and radio stations have distanced themselves from a threat issued by the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) to boycott media engagements involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

IBAN had threatened to withdraw coverage of the Minister’s activities unless he retracted comments he made during a live appearance on Channels Television with anchor Seun Okinbaloye and issued a public apology.

However, Ambassador Yusufu Mamman, Chairman and owner of JKD Television (DSTV Channel 391) and Hamada Radio Networks, dismissed IBAN’s position, describing it as baseless and not representative of broadcast station owners.

Mamman also described IBAN Chairman, Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, as lacking the authority to speak for independent broadcasters.

Mamman, who owns one television station and four radio stations, said he is not affiliated with IBAN and would not support any action against the Minister, particularly as Wike had already clarified his remarks.

“My attention has been drawn to an organisation called IBAN led by one Dr Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, speaking for Independent Broadcasters and threatening to boycott media briefings by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, unless he makes a public apology in respect of his recent banter with Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye.

“The position of the so-called IBAN is, at best, an opinion of Mr Ramalan, who is not a broadcaster and has no idea of laws, norms, etiquette or professional broadcasting codes.

“Most importantly, Mr Ramalan has constituted himself into a fighting vehicle in courts against many broadcasting organisations and the National Broadcasting Commission. Therefore, I urge the Minister to ignore his ranting.

“This is more so as, during the live television programme, the Minister took time to clarify what he meant, while his spokesperson also issued a statement categorically saying that the Minister’s comment was figurative and did not mean any harm,” he said.