It is no longer news that the former Managing Director of Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), Mr Sulaiman Aledeh, was removed from office by the Edo State Government last week. However, what many people do not know is the circumstances that allegedly led to his redeployment to the yet-to-be-commissioned Edo State Orientation Agency.
A source who spoke with our correspondent in Benin City on Monday disclosed that Governor Monday Okpebholo paid an unscheduled visit to the television station and was reportedly shocked by what he discovered during the inspection.
According to the source, who requested anonymity, the governor expressed dissatisfaction with the way the station was being managed under Aledeh’s administration.
One of the major concerns reportedly raised during the visit was the station’s terrestrial transmission service being non-functional despite substantial funds allegedly released by the state government to make it operational.
The governor was said to have questioned how residents, particularly those in rural communities, would access information about government projects and activities if the state-owned television station could only be viewed via digital cable platforms such as GOtv.
According to the source, the governor was concerned that many residents in interior villages could not afford monthly cable television subscriptions, thereby limiting their access to information from the state-owned broadcaster.
The inspection team was also reported to have observed a poorly maintained environment on the station premises, raising concerns about maintenance standards and operational efficiency.
Further allegations included recruiting female friends and close social acquaintances as freelance reporters and presenters. According to the source, this practice was viewed by some staff members as unethical and inconsistent with the organisation’s established recruitment standards. The source further alleged that some of the individuals engaged under such arrangements were reportedly earning remuneration packages exceeding those of certain long-serving government employees at the station, a development that allegedly generated discontent among members of staff.
The source further claimed that concerns had been raised within government circles regarding Aledeh’s alleged involvement in the ongoing political turmoil within the ruling APC in Edo State. According to the source, some government officials believed that the former Managing Director had become excessively involved in partisan political activities at a time when the broadcasting corporation was expected to maintain professional neutrality.
In response to some of the operational challenges identified during the visit, Governor Okpebholo reportedly promised to provide two new buses to improve the station’s logistics and operational capacity. The governor was also said to have assured staff that efforts would be made to restore the station’s terrestrial broadcasting service in order to improve access to government information and programming across Edo State.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Mr Sulaiman Aledeh nor officials of Edo Broadcasting Service had publicly responded to the allegations.
Truth Live News Correspondent, Benin City