Haba Governor Bago, Must You Shutdown Badeggi FM

By Aisha Ibrahim Halilu

The Punch editorial of August 22, 2025, titled “Bago, unseal Badeggi FM now!” raises a vital concern: what does the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM mean for Nigeria’s press freedom and democracy?

When Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State ordered the shutdown of Badeggi FM, citing alleged unethical practices and illegal activities, it was not just a clampdown on a local broadcaster. It was a direct affront to constitutional order, press freedom, and Nigeria’s fragile democratic principles. A governor profiling a station owner, revoking its license, and deploying security operatives to seal off operations represents an abuse of power that undermines both the rule of law and institutional safeguards.

The 1999 Constitution, alongside the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act, makes it clear: the regulation and sanction of broadcast media lie exclusively with the NBC—not with state governors. This is no mere technicality; it is a deliberate safeguard designed to prevent exactly this kind of executive overreach. If the governor had concerns about Badeggi FM’s activities, the lawful path was to file a complaint with the NBC, which has established procedures for investigation and sanctions. Instead, state power was weaponized to silence critical voices.

The backlash was swift and justified. Amnesty International condemned the action as “lawless and repressive,” while the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria issued a 48-hour ultimatum, threatening to permanently inscribe Governor Bago’s name in its Book of Infamy reserved for enemies of press freedom. Locally, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the move as “reminiscent of military dictatorship.” These reactions underscore that this is bigger than one station—it is about protecting the institutional mechanisms that guarantee democracy.

Once a governor succeeds in shutting down a media house outside due process, it sets a dangerous precedent. It signals to other leaders that they can suppress the press at will, escaping accountability in the process. That path leads only to repression.

Niger State, like much of Nigeria, faces real challenges—security crises, displacement, poverty, and weak governance. To scapegoat a radio station for these structural failures is not only misdirected but also unconscionable. Silencing the media diminishes public scrutiny, erodes trust, and ultimately weakens governance itself.

Let it be clear: media organizations are not above the law. If violations occur, they must be addressed with evidence, transparency, and through the NBC’s constitutional mandate—not through executive fiat. Reopening Badeggi FM is not merely a gesture; it is a constitutional necessity, a signal of respect for democratic institutions, and a step toward rebuilding public confidence.

Democracy is not measured by silencing critics but by tolerating and engaging them. Badeggi FM must be unsealed—immediately and unconditionally. Anything less chips away at accountability, transparency, and the freedoms hard-won after years of authoritarian rule.

This is not just Niger State’s test. It is Nigeria’s. Let it not be the moment we allow our democratic gains to slip away.

Aisha Ibrahim Halilu is a Mass Communication student at Nile University and an intern with PRNigeria. She can be reached via: [email protected]