"Nigerian Government Responds: Exclusively NBC Competent to Revoke Radio Station's Broadcast License - Situation Regarding Shutdown by Niger State Government"
In a recent development, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, ordered the immediate shutdown of Badeggi FM Radio in Minna. However, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has clarified that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the mandate to suspend broadcasting licenses under Nigerian law.
The shutdown directive was given during an expanded Niger State All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus meeting at the Government House. The Governor cited allegations of unethical broadcasting and incitement against the government as reasons for the suspension. However, the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, communicated the decision.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has called on stakeholders in the media industry to remain calm. He assures that the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner. The Ministry has stated that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as stipulated by law.
The Ministry welcomes the decision of the Niger State Government to formally report the perceived "unethical behavior" of Badegi FM to the NBC for resolution. Various media rights groups and legal bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Amnesty International Nigeria, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), have condemned the governor’s action as unlawful and a violation of media freedom, reaffirming that governors do not have the constitutional authority to close broadcasting stations or suspend their licenses.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has also emphasized the need for due process and the role of the NBC in investigating any alleged misconduct by broadcasters rather than unilateral actions by individual governors. The Minister has appealed to all parties to remain calm.
The Ministry did not mention any plans to intervene directly in the suspension of Badegi FM. The statement was made on Saturday, and the statement from the Minister was also made on the same day. The Governor also ordered the confiscation of the station's license and the profiling of the owner.
This principle was highlighted following the Governor's directive to shut down Badeggi FM, a private radio station. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated that the power to suspend the license of a radio station lies exclusively with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), not the Governor of a state.
The Niger State Government has not responded further to the Minister's statement as of this writing. The public is encouraged to await further updates from the NBC regarding the resolution of the issue.
- The APC, in a recent expanded meeting, supported the Governor of Niger State in suspending Badeggi FM, alleging unethical broadcasting and incitement against the government.
- The minister of information, Mohammed Idris, questioned the Governor's decision, stating that only the NBC has the legal authority to suspend broadcasting licenses.
- Among those criticizing the Governor's action are media rights groups, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Amnesty International Nigeria, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), who view the move as a violation of media freedom.
- In a statement, Mohammed Idris emphasized the importance of due process and the role of the NBC in investigating any misconduct by broadcasters, instead of relying on unilateral actions by individual governors.
- The Niger State Government has yet to respond to the Minister's statements on the matter, and the public is urged to wait for updates from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) regarding the resolution of the issue.
