Minister Niger Gov defects for radio arrest, states that only the NBC can revoke licenses

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, criticized the decision of the Governor of the State of the Niger, Urar Bago, to close FM Badeggi, a private property radio station in Minna, for alleged incitements and non -ethical conduct.

The minister, in a declaration issued on Saturday through his special assistant in the media, Rabiu Ibrahim, insisted on the fact that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the legal authority to suspend or revoke the transmission licenses in Nigeria.

This happens one day after the governor Bago ordered the police to seal the FM bads, accusing the station and its owner of using the platform to encourage violence and promote anti -government rhetoric.

According to Bologi Ibrahim, head secretary of the Governor, the “daily operations of the station were not ethical”, pushing the state government to direct that his license is revoked.

But reacting, the minister warned against the overcoming of the legal borders, stating that these regulatory decisions are strictly found with the NBC, in accordance with the transmission code and existing laws.

“While recognizing the concerns raised, the Ministry notes that the suspension of transmission licenses falls within the competence of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as required by law”, reads the note.

Idris added that the Ministry welcomes the state government’s decision to formally denounce the issue to the NBC and urged all the parties to remain calm while the commission examines the case.

“The minister appeals to all parties to remain calm, ensuring that the NBC has the mechanisms necessary to resolve the matter in a fair and impartial way,” added the declaration.

FM badgers, which operates out of 90.1fm, was established in 2020 by the media entrepreneur, Shuaibu badgeggi. It is one of the few private owned radio stations operating in the state of the Niger.

The closure of the station aroused reactions from the media stakeholders and supporters of press freedom, with many who urged the government authorities to follow the right trial and support freedom of expression as sanctioned in the Nigerian Constitution.

Pursuant to the NBC Act, only the Commission – an independent regulation agency pursuant to the Ministry of Information – has the mandate to grant, suspend or revoke transmission licenses based on established violations.

The platform has collected that FM badgeggi has aired, while the management has yet to issue an official response to development.

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