New Twist as Niger Orders Demolition of Badeggi FM as FG, NUJ, NBA Call for Due Process

The row between the Niger State government and the privately-owned Badeggi Radio Station has escalated after the state government ordered the demolition of the station’s structure.

This latest move comes as the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Niger State have intervened, urging restraint.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago had earlier directed the closure of the radio station, accusing it of “inciting violence.” The order was issued during an expanded APC caucus meeting at the Government House in Minna on Friday.

The governor also alleged that the station’s owner, Alhaji Shuaibu Badeggi, was mobilizing public dissent against the government and called for the revocation of its broadcast 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.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation advised the state government to refer the matter to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the legally recognized regulatory body for broadcasting issues.

In a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the Ministry acknowledged the state’s concerns but emphasized that only the NBC has the authority to suspend or revoke broadcast licenses.

The Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, appealed for calm, assuring that the NBC would handle the matter fairly.

Also, the NBA’s Minna branch, through its chairman, Isyaku Barau, cautioned the state government against unilateral actions, stating that media regulation falls under the NBC’s jurisdiction.

The association urged the government to either petition the NBC or seek legal redress, warning that executive overreach could violate constitutional rights to free speech and fair hearing.

The NBA stressed that adhering to due process would reinforce public trust in the government’s commitment to justice and democratic principles.

As tensions persist, stakeholders await the NBC’s intervention to resolve the dispute lawfully.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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