*‘Only NBC can suspend broadcast licences’ — Information Minister
Umar Bago, the governor of Niger state, has ordered the commissioner of police to seal off Badeggi FM radio station over alleged incitement of violence.
Bago issued the directive on Friday during a meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders at the government house in Minna.
In a statement released by Bologi Ibrahim, the chief press secretary, the Niger governor said the “daily activities of the radio station have been unethical”.
“Governor Bago also accused the owner of the station of incitement of the people against the government and directed that the license of the radio station be revoked,” the statement reads in part.
“The governor directed the commissioner for homeland security and the commissioner of police to seal the radio station, and emphasised the need for the security operatives to profile the owner of the radio station as his station promotes violence.”
According to information posted on its website, Badeggi Radio 90.1 FM, Minna, is a private radio station established in 2020 by Shuaibu Badeggi.
Despite the directives issued to the commissioners of police and homeland security, the Niger governor lacks the legal backing to order the closure of a radio station.
Issues on the broadcast content of a radio station are under the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
It’s wrong. ‘Only NBC can suspend broadcast licences’ — Information Minister
The Minister of Information, Muhammad Idris, has reacted to the closure of Badeggi FM radio station in Niger state.
Reacting in a statement on Saturday, Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to Idris, said the ministry has noted concerns raised by stakeholders in the media industry over the governor’s directive.
Idris said the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the legal authority to suspend or revoke broadcast licences.
“While acknowledging the concerns raised, the Ministry notes that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as stipulated by law,” he said.
“In light of this, the Ministry welcomes the decision of the Niger State Government to formally report the perceived “unethical behavior” of Badegi FM to the NBC for resolution.
“The Minister appeals to all parties to remain calm, assuring that the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner.”
According to the information posted on its website, Badeggi Radio 90.1 FM, Minna, is a private radio station established in 2020 by Shuaibu Badeggi.
