Benue State House of Assembly has asked the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to abolish Big Brother Naija, popularly called BBNaija, over Venita Akpofure derogatory remarks on reality television.
The lawmakers came to the resolution during the plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Dajoh, when the representative for Tarka State Constituency, Hon. Manger Manger, alerted the National Assembly Caucus of Benue State origin and the NBC to one Venita Akpofure’s disparaging remarks about the Tiv ethnic nationality on the TV reality show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).
The House also resolved that Akpofure should tender an apology to the Tiv ethnic nationality in two national dailies and television stations, be reported to the Inspector General of Police, and be sued before a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as a deterrent to others.
In the motion, Manger said Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, provides that every individual or group of people is entitled to respect for the dignity of their person, which has to be respected and protected.
Manger in the motion informed the House that, one, Venita Akpofure of Urhobo ethnic nationality of Delta State made a derogatory statement on the BBNaija TV reality show that the Tiv people of Benue State give their wives to visitors and friends as a way of entertaining them.
“I am worried that the defamation and false assertion are coming from a lady who, allegedly, was 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 seriously and as a reference point,” Hon. Manger stated.
He stated that the Tiv people of North Central Nigeria, who occupy Benue State and are also found in large numbers in the neighbouring states of Nasarawa, Taraba, and Cross River, have a strong culture and tradition that is highly against adultery.
“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”.
Manger said, “I am disturbed that the sponsors and partners of the BBNaija TV Reality Show on television, The Banijay Group of Enterprise, have 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 accommodating and hospitable to other Nigerians and beyond are 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.” He maintained.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Elias Audu, a member representing Gwer State Constituency, condemned the comments by Akpofure on Tiv ethnic nationality, adding that, as a Tiv man, he never in his life contemplated in the dream or in reality giving his beloved wife to his brother, not to talk of a friend for entertainment.
Other members of the House, including William Ortyom, Samuel Agada, Anthony Agom, Thomas Dugeri, Emmanuel Blessed-Onah, Abu Umoru, and Kennedy Angbo unanimously condemned the comments by Akpofure on the Tiv ethnic nationality, describing them as unacceptable and mischievous.
They called on appropriate authorities to call Akpofure to order as well as the NBC to abolish the BBNaija TV reality show for its corrupt and deceptive demonic nature for sanity.
