You Lack Power To Close Radio Station, Amnesty Tells Gov Bago
Amnesty International has condemned the Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, for allegedly ordering the shut down of Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, and described the action as an abuse of power and a threat to press freedom in Nigeria.
The governor had accused the privately owned radio station of “inciting violence” and directed that its broadcasting license be revoked.
But Amnesty International considers this both “misguided and unjustifiable.”
In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) page on Saturday, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, criticised the state government’s action
He noted that while armed groups continue to unleash violence on communities, resulting in killings and displacement, the government chose to clamp down on the media.
“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 stated.
He continued, “The governor’s allegation against the radio station of ‘inciting violence’ and his order that the licence of the radio station be revoked clearly show abuse of power and unacceptable intolerance of critical voices.”
Sanusi called on Governor Bago to immediately withdraw the order, adding that under Nigerian law, state governors have no legal authority to shut down broadcast stations.
“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,” Sanusi said.
He further warned that the attack on Badeggi 90.1 FM fits a broader pattern of government intimidation targeting independent media outlets and journalists across the country.
“Targeting independent media is solely aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives. Choosing to bizarrely blame a radio station for the inexcusable security failures of the government is an open attack on media freedom,” Sanusi added.
You Lack Power To Close Radio Station, Amnesty Tells Gov Bago is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
