The conflict between the Niger State government and privately-owned Badeggi Radio Station has escalated with the state government issuing a demolition order for the station’s structure.
This development comes as the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Nigeria Union of Journalists Niger State chapter, and the Nigeria Bar Association Niger State branch have intervened, calling for restraint in handling the matter.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago had earlier ordered the closure of the radio station, accusing it of “inciting violence in the society.” The directive was issued during an expanded Niger State APC Caucus meeting at the Government House in Minna on Friday.
The governor also alleged that the station’s owner, Alhaji Shuaibu Badeggi, was inciting the public against the government and directed the revocation of the radio’s license.
He further instructed the Commissioner for Homeland Security and the Commissioner of Police to seal the station and investigate the owner for allegedly promoting violence.
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has advised the state government to refer the case to the National Broadcasting Commission, stating that broadcasting regulations fall under the NBC’s jurisdiction.
In a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the Ministry said: “While acknowledging the concerns raised by the state government, the Ministry notes that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission as stipulated by law. In light of this, the Ministry welcomes the decision of the Niger State Government to formally report the perceived ‘unethical behavior’ of Badegi FM to the NBC for resolution.”
The Minister, Alhaji Idris, appealed for calm, assuring that “the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner.”
The NBA’s Minna Branch, in a statement by its chairman, Isyaku Barau, urged the state government to either petition the NBC or seek legal redress rather than taking unilateral action.
The association stated: “It is imperative to note that under Nigerian law, specifically the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission Act, the regulation, oversight, and sanctioning of broadcast media, including the revocation of licenses, lies solely within the purview of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission — a federal regulatory institution established by statute. Accordingly, while Your Excellency may rightly be concerned about any conduct capable of threatening public order or peace, the appropriate and lawful course of action would be to petition the NBC or seek redress through a court of law rather than issuing a direct administrative order for closure or license revocation.”
The NBA further cautioned: “Such executive action, though well-intended, may be perceived as conflicting with constitutional guarantees such as freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the right to fair hearing, as enshrined in Sections 36 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
The statement concluded: “In light of the foregoing, we respectfully urge that further steps regarding the said radio station be channeled through the appropriate regulatory and legal frameworks. Doing so will not only demonstrate the government’s fidelity to constitutional order but also reinforce public trust in the administration’s commitment to justice, fairness, and democratic norms.”