Niger state governor Mohammed Umar Bago is a politician I hold in high regard. His compassion and zeal for progress have been admirable. Between 2021 and early 2023, I personally advocated and campaigned for him because I believed he was the right man to transform Niger State from its analogue state to a modern, competitive one that all Nigerlites can be proud of.
So, when I first heard that the governor had ordered the shutdown of a media house, I dismissed it as mere political propaganda from opposition elements trying to discredit him. But my skepticism faded when I saw an official press release from the office of the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), signed by Alhaji Bologi Ibrahim, dated 1st August 2025, confirming the directive.
I carefully read through the five-paragraph statement, which struggled to justify what is clearly undemocratic. From the headline to the concluding sentence, everything felt wrong, hasty, poorly thought through, and autocratic in tone. Whoever advised the governor on this move should have also guided him on the due process to follow. Instead, the action, as reflected in the press release, came across as dictatorial and personal.
The statement accused Badeggi Radio and its owner, Alhaji Shaibu Badeggi, of inciting the public against the state government. But such a serious allegation should have been investigated and established by the appropriate regulatory body or bodies. In a democracy, the media—the fourth estate of the realm—is not meant to please the government but to serve the people through objective and accountable reportage. The Niger State Government must understand that there can be no democracy without a free and independent press.
Frankly, I had expected the governor to have used the station’s alleged unethical conduct as a political opportunity to show magnanimity, tolerance, and leadership—especially during the APC caucus meeting at the Government House in Minna, where the militaristic directive was issued. That would have earned him even more respect from citizens.
The third paragraph of the press release states: “The decision was taken because the daily activities of the Radio station have been unethical.” But who determines what is ethical or unethical? Is it the government’s role to define and enforce media ethics unilaterally? Certainly not. The government cannot be the accuser, judge, and enforcer in its own case. This is a democracy, not a military regime—unless we’re merely pretending otherwise.
The fourth paragraph of the release calls to mind the notorious Decree No. 2 of 1984, under which the military government jailed trade unionists, journalists, academics, and critics who dared to dissent. If it were truly lawful for a governor to just wake up and shut down a broadcast station without warning or a formal complaint to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), then many media houses—such as Arise TV, which is often criticized for being anti-APC—would have long been shut down by the federal government.
If this unfortunate development is allowed to stand, it could mark the beginning of the end for press freedom in Niger State and Nigeria at large. All stakeholders must rise up and demand that due process and fair hearing be observed. Niger State has made significant progress in media development; we must not allow ourselves to be dragged back to the dark ages.
I use this medium to appeal to Governor Bago to show restraint, leadership, and the democratic values he is known for. This is the second time this year the Niger State Government is trending for the wrong reasons. The optics are not good. Let us set aside emotions and focus on facts.
The directive to shut down Badeggi Radio, revoke its license, and order the profiling of its owner by the Commissioner of Police and Homeland Security is unjustifiable and a no-no!
Actions like these only serve to demarket Niger State and project a negative—yet false—image of the governor and his administration.
May God bless Niger State.
Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Bless the media industry.
#Freethepress
#FreeBadeggiRadio
