By Ammar M. Rajab The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has strongly condemned the shutdown of Badeggi 90.1 FM in Mi...
By Ammar M. Rajab
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has strongly condemned the shutdown of Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, describing it as a blatant assault on press freedom and a dangerous encroachment on democratic rights.
In a press statement released on Saturday, IPI Nigeria demanded the immediate reopening of the independent radio station and threatened to include Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago in its “Black Book” of officials hostile to media freedom.
The statement, jointly signed by IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed and Legal Adviser Tobi Soniyi, criticized the reported suspension order given by Governor Bago during an expanded All Progressives Congress (APC) meeting held on August 1. The closure was allegedly prompted by the station’s broadcast of content critical of the state government.
“This is yet another crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom by the current administration in Niger State under Governor Bago,” the statement read.
IPI Nigeria described the action as “unlawful, arbitrary, and deeply troubling,” warning that such measures set a dangerous precedent for silencing dissenting voices and undermining the role of the press in a democracy.
“The arbitrary suspension of Badeggi FM is a grave violation of press freedom and an assault on democratic norms. No government in a constitutional democracy has the right to shut down a media house for simply carrying content it does not like,” the institute stated.
The organization called on relevant federal authorities, including the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Press Council, to resist political interference and defend the constitutional rights of journalists and media institutions.
IPI Nigeria also urged civil society organizations, media stakeholders, and the general public to remain vigilant and united in rejecting attempts to stifle free speech.
“The continued harassment and intimidation of independent media by state actors cannot be tolerated. We demand an immediate reversal of this closure and restoration of Badeggi FM’s broadcasting rights,” the institute concluded.
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