APC boycotts BON-organised TV, radio debates

The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will not feature in the on-go- ing electioneering public de- bates on national television and radio being organised by the Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria (BON). The party alleged unhidden bias and campaign of calumny by some key or- ganisers of the programme against the corporate political interest of the APC and its candidates. Garba Shehu, director, media and publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (AP- CPCO), said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the Nigeria Election De- bate Group (NEDG) powered debate “was fraught with fundamental errors from the outset, by wearing the toga of government control, especially being composed mainly of agencies and allies of the incumbent People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) administration. “A salutary inspection of the composition of NEGD brings into focus the Broad- casting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), National Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Africa Independent Television (AIT, owned by a PDP chieftain). And going by the avalanche of inflammatory statements, misinformation and blatant lies being propagated by some of these media against our party and candidates contrary to the Koffi Annan brokered Abuja Peace Accord, and the failure of these aggressors to desist and apologise, have left the APC campaign with no option than to steer clear of any premeditated smear campaign that could be inimical to our prospective electoral success,” Shehu said. The APCPCO spokesman further explained that the boycott by the APC should not be seen as disrespect to Nigerian voters, or an alibi for the party to dodge public scrutiny, but it must be viewed as an honourable right not to consent to any activity that could distract, demean, denigrate or derail the fast-moving train of the party. “The APC is a party of progressive intellectuals, genuine technocrats, successful businessmen and women, and most of all eminent and courteous people of honour who would never condescend to the level of sadistic gutter propaganda, all in the name of political exigency and crass opportunism,” Shehu said.