Social activist and former senator Shehu Sani has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Felix Morka, the spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the new chairman of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) board. Sani expressed his concerns regarding the potential impact of this appointment on the independence of the television station.
In a statement, Sani noted that while the NTA is statutorily owned by the Federal Government, the appointment of the ruling party’s spokesperson as board chairman raises questions about the station’s objectivity, image, and professionalism. He stated, “Appointing the spokesperson of the ruling party to chair its board would cast aspersions on its content. Its objectivity, image, and professionalism would be questioned more than ever before. The party spokesman should be considered for an alternative appointment to save the station.”
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The appointment of Morka, who serves as the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, made by President Tinubu. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the appointment in a statement released on Friday in Abuja.
In addition to Morka’s appointment, the statement revealed that President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Hon. Fatuhu Buhari, an indigene of Katsina State, as the Director-General of the National Agricultural Seed Council. Furthermore, the President appointed 19 APC chairmen and some National Working Committee members as board chairs for various Nigerian government institutions.
Shehu Sani’s criticism highlights broader concerns about the potential influence of political appointments on media independence, reaffirming his stance as he condemns Tinubu’s appointment of Felix Morka.
