By Our Reporter
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has strongly condemned the shutdown of Badegi 90.1 FM, a privately owned radio station based in Minna, Niger State, following an order by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. The group described the action, which took place on August 1, as “illegal, arbitrary, and a dangerous assault on broadcasting freedom.”
Governor Bago reportedly directed the Niger State Commissioner of Police to seal off the station, citing alleged “incitement of violence” and accusing the station’s owner of unethical conduct and anti-government rhetoric. The directive also included an order to revoke the station’s broadcasting license.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Mr. John Gbadamosi, Programme Officer at MRA, rejected the Governor’s actions as undemocratic and unconstitutional. “Criticism of the government is not a crime,” he said. “It is a constitutional right and a duty imposed on the media by Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution.”
Gbadamosi argued that neither the Governor nor any state authority has legal powers to shut down broadcast stations or revoke their licenses. He described the move as a blatant abuse of office and a violation of Paragraph 9 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, which prohibits public officials from taking arbitrary actions detrimental to others’ rights.
He emphasized that regulation of broadcasting in Nigeria falls under the exclusive purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), not state governors.
“If Governor Bago fails to reverse his directives immediately, we will pursue legal and advocacy steps to hold him accountable for this egregious violation of constitutional rights,” Gbadamosi stated.
The MRA also called on the NBC to assert its regulatory independence and resist any attempt by political officeholders to usurp its authority.
Gbadamosi further urged the Governor to focus on his constitutional responsibilities—namely the welfare and security of the people—while allowing the media to freely perform their role in holding government accountable.
MRA demanded that Badegi 90.1 FM be reopened immediately and unconditionally, and that the Governor issue a public apology to the station’s proprietors, staff, and listeners.