The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, on Wednesday charged media practitioners and outfits in the country to gauge properly the pulse of the country in their reportage as the general elections draw closer.
Aliyu advised that the level of political tension should be reduced to give room for political stability and growth.
Aliyu made the suggestion in Minna on Wednesday when he inaugurated the board of the Broadcasting Corporation of Niger State, which is headed by a former Registrar of the Federal University of Technology, Alhaji Mohammed Datti Usman.
According to him: “Tension brings violence, especially when sentiments and reality are not going together.
“If sentiments continue among the people, violence will follow.
“We cannot entertain any violence as a result of our election.
“Media practitioners and outfits in the country should gauge properly the pulse of the country in their reportage and also refrain from publications of materials that can lead to crisis in the land.”
The governor said Nigerians should keep their minds open on the likely winners of the February 14 elections, advising that “whoever win we must support the person to succeed”.
Dr. Aliyu, who is also the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, warned against the re-enactment of the incident that followed the announcement of the 2011 elections results, adding that the country cannot afford such distractions again.
He said: “We are thankful that we have seen 2015.
“February 14 will also come and go peacefully.”
The governor directed the new board to ensure the immediate resuscitation of the broken down Bida and Kontagora stations of Radio Niger for wide circulation of information to the people, while also advising the management to ensure that strikes and lockouts were kept out of the organization through prompt implementation of agreements reached with union.
Responding on behalf of the new board members, Usman promised they will leave no stone unturned to make the radio station return to its glorious days by introducing scintillating and educative programmes.
Other members of the board are Alhaji Haruna Kolo, Alhaji Abubakar Zakaluka, Alhaji Ndagna Musa Kimbokun and representatives of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and Radio, Television and Theatre Workers Union.