ASHENEWS reports that the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago’s shutdown instruction of the Badeggi FM station is being followed by a demolition notice. Officials of the State Urban Development Board were sighted at the premises of the station, inscribing “Visit NUDB – 2/08/25”.
This online platform REPORTED that Bago, during an APC caucus meeting on Saturday, directed security agencies to seal the station, profile its owner, and urged the revocation of the station’s broadcast license. This came a few days after a certain Barrister Yusuf Lakpene asked security agencies to identify critics of the Governor and arrest them.
Reactions have trailed the shutdown order, with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, asserting that only the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) had the constitutional power to revoke broadcasting licenses.
“The National Broadcasting Commission is the regulatory body empowered by law to grant, suspend, or revoke broadcast licenses. No other body or level of government has such authority, Idris said in a statement by his media aide,
Condemning the action of the Niger state governor, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), through its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, described the move as “executive rascality of the highest order, a gross abuse of power and a clear violation of constitutional democracy and the rule of law.”
Joining the condemnation of Bago’s shutdown order, the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), the International Press Institute (IPI), the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum (ABMPF), and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) condemned the action by the Niger state government. While the IPI threatened to blacklist the state governor, the AMBPF threatened to boycott the activities of the state government, and SERAP warned that if the government fails to reverse the shutdown within 24 hours, it would take all necessary legal steps to ensure the restoration of the station’s operations and the protection of its staff and owner.
Press freedom is more than just a right for journalists — it’s a lifeline for citizens to stay informed, hold leaders accountable, and participate meaningfully in governance. That’s why the shutdown of Badeggi FM by the Niger State government has sparked widespread outrage. Groups like the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), International Press Institute (IPI), Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum (ABMPF), and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) didn’t just speak out—they acted. Their swift condemnation shows just how deeply press freedom matters to the health of our democracy.
Beyond the statements, these groups are sending a clear message: silencing the media is a threat to everyone. The IPI has warned it could blacklist Governor Bago, ABMPF has threatened to boycott state activities, and SERAP is ready to head to court if the station isn’t reopened within 24 hours. These are not empty threats—they reflect a growing demand that government leaders respect the role of the press. After all, a government that fears questions is one that’s not ready to lead with integrity.
1 Comment
The Governor of Niger State is one of the best and amongst the very few Governor’s in Northern Nigeria that brings about positive change in the State, the region and the Country in General. He is also a Governor who care less about showing off and using his position to intimidate the opposition or others.
It’s my view that the IPi and other press Organizations should sit with the Government and find a solution to the current face off with the said FM Station and resolve issues amicably. Iam not an indigene of Niger State but has great respect and admiration for the Governor (Sokoto state indigene) . It’s my believe that somewhere some how the station is being used to thwart the efforts of the Governor.