Edo PDP accuses Oshiomhole of vendetta against NTA workers

The Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday accused the governor of the state, Com­rade Adams Oshiomhole of vic­timizing some workers of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Edo for displaying pro­fessionalism in their reportage while covering the Edo 2016 governorship campaigns.

A statement signed by the state publicity secretary of the party, Chris Osa Nehikhare ex­plained that three reporters that insisted on balancing their re­ports were allegedly transferred outside Edo following the pres­sure by the governor. It also said that two other senior members of staff were also given the same treatment for defending the ac­tions of their workers.

The statement in part reads;

The heat generated by the in­tense electioneering campaigns in the Edo State 2016 governor­ship election may have made the audience of the news pro­grammes of the Nigerian Tele­vision Authority, Benin to have missed noticing the absence of three remarkable reporters in the past three weeks. The three reporters are: Beauty Eghobam­ien, Cele Osayande and Christy Macaulay.

‘’These three reporters who have over the years displayed outstanding professional com­petence have been transferred from Edo State. The reason for their sudden transfer is that their comprehensive report­age of the campaign activities of the PDP to which they were assigned, did not go down well with the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

‘’The governor is said to have taken offence, particular for their unwillingness to compro­mize their reports. Using his connection, he therefore tried to influence their sack. How­ever, the authorities, knowing that their sack may result in a scandal, opted for their transfer. Thus, these three elegant and efficient ladies were removed to please the governor and to water down the reports on the PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his party. This has been most evident since their removal.

‘’Also affected in this assault on professional competence and integrity is the former As­sistant Director of News, Mrs Cecelia Essien, who stuck to her guns that NTA must run a bal­anced coverage of the activities of all parties involved.