Niger State Government reverses stance on Badeggi FM, reaffirms commitment to press freedom

The Niger State Government has clarified that it has not shut down Badeggi FM 90.1, reversing its earlier directive to suspend the station.

The private radio station, which had been accused of “unethical broadcasting and incitement” by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, continues to broadcast.

The initial suspension order, given by Governor Bago during an APC caucus meeting on August 1, had drawn criticism from media stakeholders and civil society groups, including the ADC, IPI Nigeria, and the NBA, who called the action “undemocratic” and an “assault on press freedom.”

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In a statement released on Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Binta Mamman, confirmed that the state government is committed to due process and respecting press freedom.

“To demonstrate its commitment to lawful procedure and media independence, the Niger State Government confirms that Badeggi FM 90.1 has remained on air uninterrupted, pending a formal investigation by the NBC,” Mamman stated.

She emphasised that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the constitutional authority to regulate broadcast licenses. The government has since initiated the process of formally notifying the NBC of its allegations against the station to prompt regulatory action.

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Mamman noted that while the government prioritises “national peace, unity, and responsible journalism,” it “fully respects the rule of law and the regulatory powers vested in the NBC by Nigeria’s legal framework.”

The continued operation of Badeggi FM is a “clear evidence of the state’s respect for democratic values, regulatory integrity, and press freedom,” she said.

The government also announced plans to hold a stakeholder dialogue with media executives, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and other groups to promote responsible journalism.

Mamman assured residents that the government would not interfere in matters under federal jurisdiction, urging the public to “remain calm and await the outcome of the NBC’s investigation in the collective interest of peace, accountability, and national development.”

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