The Niger State government has justified the closure of Badeggi FM Radio Station in Minna, insisting that the action was not politically motivated.

In a statement yesterday by Special Adviser on Communication Media and Strategy to the Governor, Jonathan Vatsa, the government maintained that the decision was prompted by inciting content in the station’s offerings.

During an APC stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Minna, last Friday, Governor Umaru Bago ordered the closure of the privately-run radio station and revoked its licence, claiming it was inciting the public against his administration.

The directive has since provoked backlash from diverse stakeholders in the media industry, particularly the governor’s authority to shut down a media outlet.

Vatsa addressed comments by the station’s General Manager, Aisha Badeggi, who suggested that the governor’s discomfort stemmed from an interview with Mallam Mohammed Mamman Nani, a former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), where he critiqued the government’s performance.

She had challenged the governor to present concrete evidence of any incitement or unethical conduct by the station.

Responding, Vatsa dismissed the claims as unfounded, stating that the governor is unafraid of any potential election in 2027.

HOWEVER, the Sterling Law Centre (SLC) register has joined other Nigerians to condemn the directive.

In a statement by its Executive Director, Ikenna Ezekwem, the body stated that the action “constitutes reckless abuse of executive power calculated to muzzle dissent and terrorise independent media.”

Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), SLC insisted that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions, and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

Ezekwem added: “Similarly, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights -both binding on Nigeria – underscore press freedom as a cornerstone of democratic society.”

By bypassing the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and courts, he stated that the governor dragged Niger State back to the dark days of military decree.