By Gabriel Enogholase

The PDP has accused the Edo State Government of masterminding the sudden transfer of three staff of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA Benin over their insistence on reporting the affairs of the PDP according to professional standards.

The three reporters are Beauty Eghobamien, Cele Osayande and Mrs. Cecelia Essien, Assistant Director of News at the station.

A statement by Mr. Chris Nehikhare, State Publicity Secretary of the party, said: “These three reporters who have over the years displayed outstanding professional competence have been transferred from Edo State. The reason for their sudden transfer is that their comprehensive reportage of the campaign activities of the PDP to which they were assigned,” which the party said did not go down well with a very, prominent official of the government.

The party said that the very senior official was “said to have taken offense, particularly for their unwillingness to compromise their reports. Using his connection, he, therefore, tried to influence their sack. However, the authorities, knowing that their sack may result in a scandal, opted for their transfer. “Thus, these three elegant and efficient ladies were removed to please the governor and to water down the reports on the PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and his party. This has been most evident since their removal.

“Also affected by this assault on professional competence and integrity is the former Assistant Director of News, Mrs Cecelia Essien, who stuck to her guns that NTA must run a balanced coverage of the activities of all parties involved in the election and of course the Zonal Director who erroneously thought he was still under a democratic setup.