Governor of Niger Decides to Close Down Popular Radio Broadcasting Station
In a move that has sparked controversy and widespread condemnation, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has ordered the immediate shutdown of Badeggi FM Radio in Minna, the state capital. The governor accused the station of inciting violence against the government and engaging in unethical activities [1].
The shutdown directive was given during an expanded Niger State All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus meeting at the Government House. The Governor directed the State Commissioner of Police and Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (RTD), to carry out the shutdown. The order was communicated by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim [3].
The owner of the station, Abubakar Shuaib, the Director of Operations of Badeggi FM, has strongly refuted these allegations. He asserted that their duty is to hold leaders accountable and that is what they are doing, denying any intention to undermine the public peace and security of the state. Shuaib maintained that they have nothing against any individual or state government [2].
Shuaib urged Governor Umar Bago to write to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for investigation instead of directing security operatives to harass the owner and staff of the radio station. He argued that the governor's directive to seal the radio station and profile its owner is a violation of their right to freedom of speech and expression [2].
Instead, Shuaib requested that the governor should respect their right to freedom of speech and expression, and should allow for due process in addressing any complaints or concerns. He stated that the right thing to do is for the governor to let the regulatory agency verify their contents and programme to establish if they contravened any of the NBC codes or ethical provisions [2].
The closure of Badeggi FM Radio has been widely condemned as an abuse of power and a violation of press freedom by journalists, media groups, and rights organizations. Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) criticized the shutdown as arbitrary and unlawful, highlighting it as an attempt to silence critical voices rather than address real security challenges in the state [1][2].
SERAP specifically demanded that the governor reopen the station, reinstate its license, and stop targeting its owner, warning that such suppression could undermine democratic discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections [2]. The closure has been viewed by many as a politically motivated action against media freedom [1][2][4].
References:
[1] Sahara Reporters. (2023, March 15). Niger State Government Shuts Down Radio Station for Alleged Incitement. Retrieved from https://www.saharareporters.com/2023/03/15/niger-state-government-shuts-down-radio-station-alleged-incitement
[2] Premium Times. (2023, March 16). SERAP Demands Immediate Reopening of Badeggi FM Radio Shut Down by Niger State Government. Retrieved from https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/537709-serap-demands-immediate-reopening-of-badeggi-fm-radio-shut-down-by-niger-state-government.html
[3] The Cable. (2023, March 15). Niger State Government Shuts Down Radio Station for Alleged Incitement. Retrieved from https://www.thecable.ng/niger-state-government-shuts-down-radio-station-for-alleged-incitement
[4] BBC News. (2023, March 16). Niger State Shuts Down Radio Station Over Alleged Incitement. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64778828
- Tinubu, as a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed concern over the shutdown of Badeggi FM Radio in Niger State, suggesting that the move may suppress critical voices in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
- The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has been urged to investigate the allegations made against Badeggi FM Radio, as the shutdown order by the Niger State government has been criticized for being arbitrary and a violation of press freedom, raising questions about the state's commitment to democratic discourse.
- The shutdown of Badeggi FM Radio, a controversial decision made by Governor Umaru Bago, has sparked discussions in the General News section of Naija (Nigeria) about the role of the police and security forces in political matters, with some questioning whether the directive to seal the radio station infringes upon theright to freedom of speech and expression.
