The Niger State Government has denied allegations that the recent shutdown of Badeggi FM, a private radio station based in Minna, was politically motivated. The government insisted that the station had aired content that amounted to public incitement, justifying the governor’s decision.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Minna, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, debunked suggestions that Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago acted out of fear or political rivalry.
> “The governor will never stoop so low as to target a radio station simply because an opposition figure expressed his opinion,” Vatsa said.
Recall that during an APC stakeholders’ meeting held at Government House last Friday, Governor Bago ordered the closure of Badeggi FM and called for the withdrawal of its license, accusing the station of inciting the public against the government. The directive sparked criticism from media stakeholders, who questioned the governor’s constitutional authority to issue such an order.
The controversy escalated after Aisha Badeggi, General Manager of Badeggi FM, appeared on Channels Television’s “Morning Brief”, where she alleged that the governor was reacting to an interview granted by former FIRS Chairman, Mallam Mohammed Mamman Nani — a known critic of the government’s performance in the past two years. She also challenged the governor to provide any verifiable evidence of public incitement or professional misconduct by the station.
> “Maybe the governor was uncomfortable with the interview because of rumors that Mamman Nani is eyeing the governorship in 2027,” Aisha said during the interview.
In response, Vatsa described the insinuation as baseless, asserting that Governor Bago has no fear of political competition in 2027, given his administration’s achievements so far.
> “The governor is not panicking. His record in infrastructure development, the most ambitious since the state’s creation, is enough to secure re-election. He has never lost an election since he first contested in 2007,” Vatsa said.
He further pointed to recent endorsements by APC stakeholders in the state for both Governor Bago and President Bola Tinubu as evidence of confidence in the governor’s leadership and political strength.
While downplaying the severity of the closure directive, Vatsa also noted the governor’s media-friendly disposition, highlighting that Bago has received awards from three national media organizations in the past two years for excellence in governance.
> “This government welcomes constructive criticism. It helps us identify gaps and improve. The governor is not a magician — he’s a human being doing his best,” he concluded.
As of press time, regulatory bodies are yet to issue a formal statement regarding the license status of Badeggi FM.