The Niger State Government has dismissed claims that Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s order to shut down Baddegi FM radio station was politically motivated.
Jonathan Vatsa, the governor’s special adviser on communication media and strategy, stated that the action was taken due to content that allegedly incited the public against the government.
In a statement issued in Minna, Vatsa denied suggestions that the governor targeted the station because it hosted an interview with Mohammed Mamman Nani, a former Federal Inland Revenue Service chairman who criticised the administration.
He described such insinuations as baseless, emphasising that Governor Bago would not engage in petty political battles.
The controversy began when the governor ordered the station’s closure last Friday, accusing it of incitement. Media stakeholders questioned the legality of the directive, noting that broadcast regulation falls under federal jurisdiction.
Aisha Badeggi, the station’s general manager, challenged the governor to provide evidence of unethical conduct during an appearance on Channels Television. She speculated that the action might be linked to 2027 political ambitions, a claim Vatsa strongly rejected.
Vatsa highlighted the governor’s electoral track record and achievements, stating that recent endorsements by APC stakeholders demonstrate strong support. While maintaining that the administration welcomes constructive criticism, he insisted the Baddegi FM’s closure was necessary to prevent inflammatory broadcasts. The government maintains its position despite ongoing debate about the proportionality of its response.
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