Outrage As Nigerian Governor Shuts Down Radio Station, Gives Reason
- The governor of Niger state, Umaru Bago, has been heavily criticized for ordering the immediate closure of Badeggi FM Radio station
- Amnesty International joined other civil society organisations, including stakeholders, to condemn the governor's directive, describing it as an abuse of power
- In a statement released by Bologi Ibrahim, the chief press secretary, the Niger governor said the “daily activities of the radio station have been unethical” hence their license should be revoked
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Niger state, Minna - The directive of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state for the shutdown of Badeggi FM Radio in Minna, the state capital, is generating a storm.
Source: Facebook
On Thursday, July 31, during an expanded Niger State APC caucus meeting at the Government House, Governor Bago issued the directive and claimed that the station was “inciting violence” and operating unethically.
Governor Bago also called for the station’s licence to be revoked.
Reacting, the director of operations of Badeggi FM, Abubakar Shuaib, implored the governor to channel his complaints through proper channels rather than directing security operatives to harass the owner and staff of the radio station.
“The right thing to do is to write to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for investigation. Our duty is to hold leaders accountable and that is what we are doing,” he said.
Source: Facebook
Amnesty Int’l, CSO react
Also reacting, Amnesty International described Governor Umar Bago's decision as a misuse of power and an assault on press freedom.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 2, the director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, condemned the directive, insisting it was “misguided and unjustifiable.”
Sanusi also highlighted the deteriorating security situation in the state, criticising the government’s failure to address it while instead targeting the media.
“While bandits and insurgents are ravaging Niger State through killings and massive displacements of rural communities, with both the Federal Government and Niger State failing to protect lives, pointing accusing fingers at a radio station clearly shows a failure of leadership,” he said.
“Attacking Badeggi 90.1 FM is part of a wider pattern of attempts to create climate of fear across newsrooms in Nigeria and to make it harder for journalists to do their job.
“Governor Bago must immediately withdraw his unlawful order,” it said.
As reported by Daily Trust, Muhammad Alfa Muhammad, the speaker, accountability ambassadors, a Minna-based civil society organization urged the governor to respect the Nigerian constitution that grant citizens the freedom of expression.
“While the need to maintain public peace is legitimate and indeed paramount, the outright closure of a media house without due process sets a dangerous precedent,” he added.
Read more about Niger state, governor here:
- Niger flood of fury: “How I lost 17 members of my household,” Victim speaks
- Eid-el-Kabir: Governor Bago suspends traditional Sallah events, reason emerges
- Niger governor Bago shuts brothel, beer parlours near mosque, gives reason
- 45 bandits arrested in Niger state
Niger state shuts IBB varsity
In another development, Legit.ng reported that Governor Mohammed Bago earlier ordered the immediate closure of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University due to security concerns after a student's death.
A student's life at IBB University was cut short in a tragic incident that sparked government action against security breaches.
Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government, assures students and citizens of the government's commitment to protecting lives and property.
Source: Legit.ng
