The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned what it described as intimidation and abuse of executive power following a threat by the Niger State government to shut down Badeggi FM 90.1, a privately-owned radio station, in Minna.
In a statement signed by its National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the union described the alleged plan to demolish the station’s premises as a blatant violation of press freedom and an unconstitutional overreach by the state government under Governor Umaru Bago.
The body reminded the government that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is statutorily empowered to regulate, license, and sanction broadcast stations in the country.
“Any attempt by a state government to unilaterally interfere with the operations or physical premises of a media house is an unconstitutional overreach of executive power,” the statement read.
The union noted that press freedom is a constitutional right and a key pillar of democracy, warning that threats and political intimidation against media organisations undermine the rule of law and democratic accountability.
NUJ called on Governor Bago to immediately withdraw the threat against the station and allow the NBC to handle any alleged infractions through legal and regulatory procedures.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding media freedom and the rights of journalists across the federation, the union urged civil society, professional bodies, and the public to rise in defence of free and independent journalism.
SIMILARLY, the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) termed the action as illegal, arbitrary and a dangerous assault on broadcasting freedom. It called on the governor to immediately and unconditionally reopen the station and issue a public apology for the closure.
Governor Bago had reportedly ordered the Commissioner of Police to seal off the station for alleged incitement of violence, and directed that the licence of the radio station be revoked, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Bologi Ibrahim.
The spokesman claimed in the statement that the “daily activities of the radio station have been unethical,” adding: “Governor Bago also accused the owner of the station of incitement of the people against the government.”
Describing the government’s action as undemocratic, illegal and unjustifiable, MRA’s Programme Officer, John Gbadamosi, observed in a statement that criticism of the government is not crime as it is integral to any functioning democracy, in addition to the fact that it is a constitutional right and duty imposed on the media by Section 22 of the Constitution.
In any event, he argued, the governor lacks any constitutional or statutory authority to order the closure of any broadcast station in Nigeria or the revocation of the broadcasting licence of any broadcast media organisation.
ALSO, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the governor to immediately reverse the arbitrary and unlawful decision to strip the radio station of its licence, reinstate the station’s licence, withdraw his threat to demolish the station’s premises, and “end your crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Niger State.”
The organisation implored him to immediately end his “attacks against the owner of Badeggi FM 90.1, Shuaibu Badeggi and other staff members of the radio station, publicly guarantee their rights to liberty and security of person, and end the prevailing impunity for violations of freedom of expression and media freedom in your state.”
It also urged the governor and his government to refrain from weaponising the NBC and law enforcement agents to further crack down on Badeggi FM, and to “uphold your constitutional oath of office to protect Nigerians’ freedom of expression and media freedom in Niger State.”
In an open letter signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP threatened legal action if its appeal is not heeded within 48 hours.
“Media outlets in Niger State must be free to enable debate on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals,” it maintained.
