The Niger state government has ordered the demolition of the building housing Badeggi Radio Station, a privately owned radio station in Minna, the state capital.
This new direction came after the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State, and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Niger State branch, all weighed in and advised prudence.
Earlier, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago ordered the closure of the radio station for allegedly “inciting violence in the society.”
The governor issued the directive during the extended Niger State APC Caucus meeting held on Friday at Government House Minna.
Also, Governor Bago accused the station’s owner, Alhaji Shuaibu Badeggi, of inciting people against the government and ordered that his radio license be cancelled.
He also asked the Commissioners of Homeland Security and Police to close the radio station, emphasising the importance of security personnel profiling the station’s owner for advocating violence.
However, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has encouraged the state administration to refer the situation to the right quarters, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), for suitable action because it is above the state government.
“While acknowledging the concerns raised by the state government, the Ministry notes that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as stipulated by law.
“In light of this, the Ministry welcomes the decision of the Niger State Government to formally report the perceived ‘unethical behaviour’ of Badegi FM to the NBC for resolution,” the minister said.
According to a statement issued by Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister, Alhaji Idris, appealed to all parties to remain calm, assuring that “the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner.”
