The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, demanding the immediate reversal of the unlawful shutdown of Badeggi FM 90.1, a privately owned radio station based in Minna, the state capital.
In a letter signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization condemned the governor’s directive as a flagrant violation of constitutional and international legal standards guaranteeing freedom of expression, media freedom, and the rule of law.
Governor Bago had reportedly ordered the closure of Badeggi FM following allegations that the station had broadcast materials considered inciting and capable of provoking violence. He was also said to have instructed security agencies to seal the station’s premises, revoke its broadcast licence, and investigate its owner, Mr. Shuaibu Badeggi, for allegedly inciting the public.
SERAP, however, described the order as arbitrary, politically motivated, and an abuse of executive power, warning that such actions have no legal basis and risk eroding democratic norms in the state.
“The arbitrary closure of Badeggi FM, threats to demolish its premises, and the targeting of its owner violate fundamental human rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression and media freedom,” the statement read.
“Only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), acting within the limits of the law and following due process, has the statutory authority to sanction or revoke the licence of any broadcasting station in Nigeria. A state governor has no such power.”
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.
The group also accused the Niger State Government of attempting to silence critical voices ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that such actions set a dangerous precedent that could embolden other state governments to clamp down on independent media.
“Governor Bago’s directive is part of a growing pattern of executive overreach and intolerance towards dissent. We urge him to immediately reverse the order, respect media freedom, and refrain from using security agencies to harass journalists and media owners,” SERAP stated.
Several civil society organizations and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), have also condemned the shutdown, describing it as unconstitutional and a threat to press freedom.
The NBA, in a separate statement, described the governor’s action as executive lawlessness, while the NUJ urged journalists across the country to resist any attempt to intimidate or suppress the media.
The ultimatum from SERAP adds to the growing pressure on Governor Bago to rescind his decision and uphold the rule of law in the handling of media affairs in Niger State.
