Amnesty International has severely condemned Niger State Governor Umar Bago’s decision to shut down Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio in Minna, calling it an abuse of authority and an attack on press freedom.
The shutdown order, given Thursday during an extended Niger State APC caucus meeting at the Government House, was based on allegations that the radio station was “inciting violence” and acting unethically. Governor Bago also asked for the station’s license to be revoked.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, denounced the instruction in a statement released on Saturday, calling it “misguided and unjustifiable.”
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the lawless and repressive order issued yesterday 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,” Sanusi said.
“The governor’s allegation against the radio station of ‘inciting violence’ and his order that ‘the license 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.”
Sanusi also emphasised the state’s deteriorating security situation, condemning the government for failing to solve it while instead blaming the media.
“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,” he said.
“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 job.”
He further emphasised that state governors lack the constitutional authority to shut down broadcast stations.
“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,” Sanusi added.
