The Benue State House of Assembly has called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to abolish the popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).
The assembly made this request during a plenary session in Makurdi, the state capital, after the member representing Tarka State Constituency, Hon. Manger Manger, drew the attention of the National Assembly Caucus of Benue State origin and the NBC to the “derogatory comments” on the Tiv ethnic nationality by Venita Akpofure on the popular reality show.
The assembly further demanded an unreserved apology from Akpofure in two national dailies and television stations. It was also resolved that she would be reported to the Inspector General of Police and as well as be sued before a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as deterrent to others.
Her offense? Manger in the motion had told the House that Akpofure who is from Delta State made a “derogatory statement” on the Big Brother Naija TV reality show that the Tiv people of Benue State give their wives to visitors and friends as a means of entertainment.
“I am worried that the defamation and false assertion is coming from a lady who, the alleged once married to a Tiv man with two kids, and if this is not addressed in a proper perspective, may create confusion in the minds of some uninformed people who may take her tale serious and as a reference point.
“There is no place in recorded history and oral tradition where it is established that the Tiv race right from their ancestors of Ichongo and Ipusu once gave out their wives to visitors and friends for entertainment.
“I am disturbed that the sponsors and partners of the Big Brother Naija TV Reality Show on the television, The Banijay Group of Enterprise has not called the alleged estranged Tiv wife, Akpofure to order.
“I am also disturbed that if utterances like this against an ethnic group that is very accommodative and hospitable to other Nigerians and beyond is misconstrued in this manner and buried under the carpet, it may go a long way to affect the corporate existence of the country and National cohesion,” Hon. Manger said.
Meanwhile, Hon. Elias Audu, member representing Gwer State Constituency seconded the motion and further condemned the comments by Akpofure on Tiv ethnic nationality.
More members of the House like William Ortyom, Samuel Agada Anthony Agom, Thomas Dugeri, Emmanuel Blessed-Onah, Abu Umoru and Kennedy Angbo, also condemned the comments by Akpofure on the Tiv ethnic nationality, describing it as unacceptable and mischievous.
NBC has not responded to the call.