CUPP condemns shut-down of AIT, demands re-opening, sack of NBC DG

Worried by the suspension of the broadcast license and subsequent shutting down of the Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM radio, the Nigerian opposition political group under the auspices, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemned the act, describing it as despotic, totalitarian, authoritarian, primitive and barbaric.

In a statement yesterday afternoon, signed by the spokesperson of the group, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said there should be reversal of the order, likening it as the dark days of the military rule in the country, whilst asking that the station be re-opened and the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Madibbo Kawu, sacked.

“Nigeria is now officially a dictatorship where every dissenting voice must be shut down as we are now fully back to the 1984 dark days of Decree Two, with full blown intimidation and suppression of press freedom. It has become apparent that despite being on trial for a N2.5b fraud case, the DG of NBC is using this intimidation of Daar Communications as a bargaining chip in exchange for the quashing of his trial which approaches have been allegedly made to the prosecuting authorities.

An anti-corruption government that should have taken drastic actions against one of its own to serve as a deterrent to others has now turned a blind eye and is using the fraud charges as a leash to control Kawu to do their unlawful bidding.”

“We call on President Buhari to direct the immediate reversal of this draconian act and also promptly sack Kawu. It is Daar Communications today; it could be any other media house which refuses to be intimidated tomorrow,” he said.