“Reopen Badeggi FM now, you have no such power” – Amnesty to Governor Bago

Amnesty International has strongly condemned Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago over the controversial closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio Station in Minna.

The organization described the move as “lawless and repressive,” calling for the immediate reversal of the order.

In a statement released on Saturday, the international human rights group said:

“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.

“The governor’s allegation against the radio station of ‘inciting violence’ and his order that ‘the license of the radio station be revoked’ clearly show abuse of power and unacceptable intolerance of critical voices. The order for the closure of the radio station is misguided and unjustifiable.”

Governor Bago had, during an APC caucus meeting in Minna, accused Badeggi FM of unethical practices and inciting the public against his administration.

He subsequently ordered security operatives to seal the station, demanded that its license be revoked, and called for the profiling of its owner.

Amnesty, however, describes the action as a clear abuse of power.

“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.

“Attacking Badeggi 90.1 FM is part of a wider pattern of attempts to create a climate of fear across newsrooms in Nigeria and to make it harder for journalists to do their job.

“Governor Bago must immediately withdraw his unlawful order. Under Nigerian laws, the governor has no power to order the closure of a radio station. Choosing to bizarrely blame a radio station for the inexcusable security failures of the government is an open attack on media freedom.

“Targeting independent media is solely aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives.”

Amnesty International also urged the federal government to step in and protect media independence, warning that such actions threaten the foundations of democracy and free expression in the country.