The International Press Centre (IPC) has strongly condemned the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for ordering the closure of Badegi 90.1 FM.
According to reports, the governor took this action after the station broadcast content critical of the state government during an All Progressives Congress meeting on August 1.
IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, described the governor’s decision as an “abuse of executive powers” and a disregard for media institutions. He emphasised that if the station indeed committed an infraction, the governor should have approached relevant media regulatory bodies instead of taking unilateral action.
The IPC asserts that the media should not be silenced, stressing that Nigeria operates under a democratic system where freedom of speech and expression are fundamental rights. Any disputes or infractions should be addressed through competent courts of jurisdiction, not executive fiat.
Consequently, the IPC is calling for the immediate and unconditional reopening of Badegi 90.1 FM and an end to the crackdown on press freedom in Nigeria, particularly by government officials.