… As State council orders Niger Gov to withdraw radio closure order
… Says action undermines press freedom
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a scathing condemnation of threats by the Niger State Government to shut down and demolish Badeggi FM 90.1, a privately-owned radio station in Minna, describing the move as an abuse of executive power and a dangerous assault on press freedom.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the NUJ warned Governor Umaru Bago against overstepping constitutional bounds by attempting to muzzle the media through intimidation and unlawful directives.
“The threats by the Niger State Government to close and pull down the building housing Badeggi FM are not only high-handed, but a direct violation of the constitutional guarantee of press freedom.
“It is a desperate intimidation tactic, and we will not stand by and watch it go unchallenged,” the NUJ said.
The union reminded the governor and his advisers that the regulation and sanctioning of broadcast stations in Nigeria fall strictly within the jurisdiction of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), not state governors or their agents.
“Only the NBC has the legal authority to license, monitor, and, where necessary, penalize broadcast operators. The governor’s threat to demolish a media house bypasses all known legal procedures and reeks of political vendetta,” the statement added.
Describing the move as an affront to democratic governance, the NUJ called on civil society, professional groups, and rights advocates to resist what it termed a creeping dictatorship at the subnational level.
“Freedom of the press is a non-negotiable pillar of democracy. Any attempt to stifle it amounts to an attack on the rights of citizens to be informed and to hold leaders accountable. The press is not an enemy of the state, rather, it is the conscience of the people.”
The NUJ urged Governor Bago to immediately rescind the demolition threat and allow any grievances against the station to be addressed through lawful and regulatory mechanisms.
“We will continue to defend journalists and media institutions against any form of political persecution. Badeggi FM must be allowed to operate without fear, and the rule of law must prevail.”
The union also reiterated its readiness to mobilize national and international solidarity in defence of any media house facing repression, warning that any further attempt to gag the press in Niger State will meet stiff resistance.
Also, the Niger State Council of the union has called on Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to immediately withdraw his directive shutting down the Badeggi 90.1 FM, saying that the order is an assault on press freedom which undermines democratic principles
Describing the governor’s action as undemocratic and unconstitutional, the NUJ said that it was deeply concerned that such a directive could erode the media’s constitutional role in holding public office holders accountable.
The Union urged the governor to embrace dialogue and partnership with media practitioners, rather than resorting to executive fiat.
In a statement issued after an emergency State Working Committee meeting and signed by the State Secretary, Comrade Usman Chiji, the NUJ reiterated that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the legal authority to license or revoke the operations of radio and television stations in Nigeria.
“The NUJ strongly urges the governor to immediately rescind the directive in the interest of democracy and, invariably, press freedom,” the statement declared.
While restating its commitment to ethical journalism, the NUJ cautioned authorities against attempts to gag the press.
