By Muhammad Mamman
In a bold and scathing rebuke, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Niger State Governor Umar Bago a 48-hour deadline to reverse what it calls an “arbitrary and unlawful” decision to shut down Badeggi FM 90.1, a privately-owned radio station in Minna. The organisation has also demanded the immediate reinstatement of the station’s licence, the withdrawal of threats to demolish its premises, and an end to the profiling of its owner, Shuaibu Badeggi.
In an open letter dated 2 August 2025, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group accused Governor Bago of orchestrating a crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom. The letter condemned Bago’s directive—issued during a 1 August 2025 All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Minna—to seal Badeggi FM, revoke its licence, and mark its premises for demolition. The governor’s actions, SERAP argued, stem from vague and unsubstantiated claims that the station’s broadcasts were “unethical” and incited violence against the government.
“Silencing critical voices under the guise of national security is a flagrant violation of the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations,” SERAP stated. The group highlighted that the closure of Badeggi FM and the targeting of its staff breach Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee freedom of expression. SERAP warned that such actions risk stifling public discourse, undermining democracy, and chilling independent journalism ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The letter further criticised Bago’s government for weaponising the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and law enforcement to suppress dissent, asserting that the restrictions lack legal grounding or legitimate public interest. “The shutdown of Badeggi FM and the harassment of its owner threaten the public’s right to access information and weaken the press’s vital watchdog role,” Oluwadare wrote. He urged Bago to uphold his constitutional oath, cease attacks on the station’s staff, and foster an environment where media outlets can operate without fear of reprisal.
SERAP has threatened legal action if the governor fails to comply within the 48-hour ultimatum, underscoring the broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic landscape. “A free press is the cornerstone of an informed society,” the letter concluded. “Governor Bago’s actions not only violate Badeggi FM’s rights but also erode the public’s access to critical information, jeopardling a dangerous precedent for media freedom across Nigeria.”
