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The International Press Centre, IPC, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists, SPJ, Hub, has condemned what it described as the unlawful closure of Badegi 90.1FM in Niger State, allegedly ordered by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
The closure of the radio station, as gathered by DAILY POST followed an expanded All Progressives Congress, APC, meeting held on Friday, August 1, where governor Bago reportedly directed the shutdown in response to the station’s broadcast of content perceived to be critical of the state government.
In a statement issued at the weekend by the Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, described the governor’s action as “a pure abuse of executive powers and an abysmal display of lack of regard for the media institution.”
“Assuming, without conceding, that the station committed any infraction, the proper procedure would have been to lodge a complaint with the relevant media regulatory bodies,” Arogundade stated.
He emphasized that the media must not be silenced under any guise, stressing that “we are no longer in a military regime where fear and intimidation are the order of the day.”
The IPC insisted that only a competent court of law has the authority to determine the legitimacy of any alleged media offense.
The Centre called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of Badegi 90.1FM, warning against further crackdowns on press freedom by public officials.
“This is a democracy,” the statement read, “where freedom of speech, expression, and thought are constitutionally guaranteed.”
IPC condemns closure of Badegi FM by Gov Bago, demands immediate reopening
