The governor of Niger state Mohammed Bago could not have envisaged the backlash that trailed his directive for the closure and demolition of a private run radio state, the Badegi Radio 90.1 FM. Now the governor and his government look like orphans following the attacks from local and global human rights organisations, federal government and other well meaning Nigerians.
The magazine reports that the governor had last Thursday ordered the state Commissioner of Homeland Security, Mohammed Bello, and the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, to put the radio station under lock and key for allegedly inciting the public against the government.
Governor Bago spoke during a stakeholders’ meeting of his party, the All progressives Congress, APC, in Minna, the state’s capital, alleging that the radio station has been irresponsible in the manner it attacked the government.
The radio station has however fired back, saying it did no wrong, and that it’s within its constitutional rights to hold government officials accountable for their actions.
Since the controversy broke last week, Governor Bago has come under trenchant attacks from human rights bodies, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, international Press Institute, IPI, Nigerian Union of Journalists among others.
Reacting, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris said the governor has no power to carry out the duty of the NBC, which he said has the authority to sanction any media organisation, for any alleged broadcast violations.
Idris: “While acknowledging the concerns raised, the Ministry notes that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as stipulated by law,” he said.
“In light of this, 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.”
On its part, the IPI In a press statement jointly signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, criticised the Niger Governor for trying to silence the media, describing the action as an assault on press freedom and democratic rights, stressing that the actio n is a violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
According to the NGE, in its reaction to the issue, in a statement signed by Eze Anaba, President, and Onuoha Ukeh, General Secretary, it criticised the governor for trying to “undermine the fundamental principle of a democratic society, saying the action contradicts Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria is a signatory.
“This act of censorship and intimidation undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society, where free press is essential for holding those in power accountable.”
“Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees freedom of expression and press freedom. Also, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria is signatory to, also guarantees press freedom and freedom of expression,” NGE said.
“The closure of Badeggi Radio, a vital platform for public discourse and information dissemination, is a worrying trend that threatens the very fabric of our democracy.
Amnesty International had earlier described the governor’s clamp down on the radio station as a total distraction from core issue affecting the state, including insecurity caused by the rampaging bandits and terrorists who have displaced many people in the state.
In a statement, signed by AI Director in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi the global right body accused the governor of abuse of power, saying the governor’s action is unjustifiable and leadership failure on his part to handle the myriads of problems affecting the state.
The global rights body said, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the lawless and repressive order issued by Governor Umar Bago of Niger State for the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio Minna, which is an independent source of news for the people of Niger State.
“The governor’s allegation against the radio station of ‘inciting violence’ and his order that ‘the licence of the radio station be revoked’ clearly show abuse of power and unacceptable intolerance of critical voices. The order for the closure of the radio station is misguided and unjustifiable.
“While bandits and insurgents are ravaging Niger State through killings and massive displacements of rural communities, with both the Federal Government and Niger State failing to protect lives, pointing accusing fingers at a radio station clearly shows a failure of leadership.
“Attacking Badeggi 90.1 FM is part of a wider pattern of attempts to create a climate of fear across newsrooms in Nigeria and to make it harder for journalists to do their jobs.
“Governor Bago must immediately withdraw his unlawful order. Under Nigerian laws, the Governor has no power to order the closure of a radio station. Choosing to bizarrely blame a radio station for the inexcusable security failures of the government is an open attack on media freedom.
“Targeting independent media is solely aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives,” AI said.
