Nigerian official warns of sanctioning inflammatory political broadcasts

A senior official warned that the Nigerian government would not relent in sanctioning broadcast stations that used inflammatory materials in their political broadcasts.

Emeka Mba, the director-general of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) announced this in a statement reaching Xinhua Monday, saying some stations operate in a manner that could become counter-productive to the national objective of peaceful, free and fair elections.

"We have already written to those stations to desist and are still considering further sanctions in line with the provisions of the law," he added.

Mba stressed the need for broadcast stations to join the efforts toward violence-free pre and post election seasons, as well as free and fair elections in 2015.

"We believe that broadcasting stations can only contribute to this when all programs adhere to the general principles of legality, decency and truthfulness," he said.

"A broadcaster shall, in using political material for news, avoid taking inflammatory and divisive matter in its provocative form," the director-general added.

On Feb. 14, Nigerians are expected to go to the polls for presidential and legislative elections. Two weeks later, elections for many state governors and assemblies are scheduled to follow.

The elections are expected to be the most competitive ever experienced in Nigeria.

The ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), which has dominated Nigeria's political space since the 1999 transition to civilian rule, is also facing a more unified opposition than in the past.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), a merger of opposition parties, is contesting the presidency, and its flag bearer, Muhammadu Buhari, has launched a vigorous challenge to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. Endi