The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Idris Malagi, has appealed for calm following the recent closure of Badeggi FM radio station in Niger State, emphasizing that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) will handle the matter appropriately.
In a statement released through his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister urged all parties involved, including Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the management of the radio station, to maintain composure while the regulatory body addresses the situation.
"The NBC has the authority to regulate broadcasting licences and will handle the matter fairly and impartially," Malagi stated, while welcoming the state government's decision to formally report the issue to the NBC for proper resolution.
The closure directive was issued by Governor Bago during an expanded Niger State APC Caucus Meeting in Minna on August 1, 2025, which Minister Malagi attended. The state government's action against Badeggi FM was reportedly based on allegations of unethical broadcasting practices and incitement against the government.
This development highlights the ongoing tensions between media freedom and government oversight in Nigeria's evolving democratic landscape, with the NBC now positioned as the arbiter in this particular dispute.
The Minister's intervention underscores the federal government's interest in ensuring that media regulations are followed while also maintaining an environment that respects press freedom within established guidelines.
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