Amnesty International has condemned the order issued by the Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, directing the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio in Minna.
The human rights organisation said the allegation that the radio station was “inciting violence” and the subsequent directive to revoke its licence represent an abuse of power.
In a statement on Saturday by the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, the organisation said the order for the closure of the radio station is misguided and unjustifiable.
Sanusi criticised the state government’s focus on media clampdown amid worsening insecurity in the region, including killings and mass displacement by armed groups.
He said, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the lawless and repressive order issued yesterday by Governor Umar Bago of Niger State for the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio Minna – which is an independent sources of news for the people of Niger state.
“The governor’s allegation against the radio station of ‘inciting violence’ and his order that ‘the licence of the radio station be revoked’ clearly shows abuse of power and unacceptable intolerance of critical voices. The order for the closure of the radio station is misguided and unjustifiable.”
He called on Bago to immediately withdraw the order, stating that under Nigerian law, state governors lack the authority to shut down broadcast stations.
