By Kayode Adeoti
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara State chapter and an Ilorin-based human right activist, Murtala Sambo have moved to reverse the proposed ban of political broadcast by the state House of Assembly.
Recall that, a week ago, the Kwara State House of Assembly called for a ban on live partisan political programmes on all broadcast stations in the state.
The call was subsequent to the motion titled: โThe need for all broadcast stations in Kwara to comply with the NBC codes and regulations which was moved by Kamal Fagbemi (APC, Okeogun) and supported by other members of the House through their contributions.
The lawmaker moved motion that office of the stateโs Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice should make strong representation to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ban live partisan political programmes on all broadcasting station in the state.
Following the resolution of the House after debate on the motion, the Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad however directed office of the AG to write the NBC so as to compel political parties to limit their discussions on broadcast stations to their party manifestos.
The resolution added that no reference should be made to the activities of the other political parties in order to allow peace reign in the state.
The House further submitted that all broadcast stations in the state must not transmit beyond the assigned areas approved by the NBC.
The House directed the office of the AG to initiate withdrawal of operating licence of any broadcast stations that violate the NBC codes and regulations even as it ordered it clerk to produce a clean copy of the resolution that will be forwarded to the office of the stateโs AG for full implementation.
It is in this view, the applicants in the suit no: FHC/IL/CS/8/2018 dragged the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, Attorney General of the state, Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade, the state House of Assembly and the NBC before Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin.
In the two pages originating motion before the court, the applicants sought declarations and two orders; โThat the resolution of the Kwara State House of Assembly made on the 23rd day of January, 2018 that political programmes wherein one political party criticises activities of another party should not be transmitted or broadcast live within the state be declared null and void to the extent of its inconsistence with section 39(1) of 1999 constitution as amended.
โThat the 1st respondent lacks authority to legislate, advice, direct any activities of Kwaras which is in line with constitutional dictates.
The PDP and Sambo however sought an order of the court preventing 4th respondent from carrying out threat of seizing practising licence of media station that air live political programmes.
In pursuant to Order XI of the Fundamental Right Enforcement Procedure Rules, the applicant besieged the court to ensure the enforcement and protection of the fundamental human rights of the applicants.
