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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Governor Umar Bago of Niger State 48 hours to reverse what it calls the "arbitrary and unlawful" closure of Badeggi FM 90.1, an independent radio station located in Minna, the state capital.
In an open letter dated August 2 and signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the governor to restore the station's license, retract threats to demolish its building, and cease the profiling of its owner, Shuaibu Badeggi.
The organization stated, "Your vague, unfounded, and unsubstantiated claims of 'inciting violence' against Badeggi FM and its owner seem aimed at silencing the station."
Recently, Bago ordered the state Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Homeland Security to shut down Badeggi FM, revoke its license, and demolish its premises.
He also reportedly directed that the owner be profiled due to accusations of unethical broadcasts inciting public dissent against the government.
SERAP has warned that such actions could significantly hinder press freedom ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that the crackdown on Badeggi FM threatens the press's ability to participate in discussions of legitimate public interest.
The group emphasized, "By your arbitrary and unlawful restrictions on Badeggi FM, you have severely compromised the public's right to be adequately informed, thus affecting the station's role in public discourse vital to a democratic society."
They described the governor's actions as a "blatant violation" of the Constitution and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory, including Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The letter continued, "Shutting down the station, unlawfully revoking its license, threatening to demolish its premises, and profiling the owner contravene the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country's international human rights commitments."
SERAP also called for an end to the intimidation of Badeggi FM staff and the upholding of their rights to liberty and personal safety.
They stated, "Your aggressive actions against Badeggi FM, its owner, and staff represent a serious threat to the democratic process in the country by stifling free debate on important ideas and opinions.
Media outlets in Niger State must operate freely to facilitate discussions on public issues without fear of retaliation."
Furthermore, SERAP accused the governor of leveraging regulatory bodies and law enforcement against dissent.
"Your order to revoke the station's license, shut it down, and demolish its property undermines Nigerians’ right to access, receive, and share diverse information and engage in public discourse," SERAP asserted.
They cautioned that failure to comply would result in legal action, stating, "We would appreciate it if you could implement the recommended actions within 48 hours of receiving and/or publishing this letter.
If we do not hear from you by then, SERAP will pursue all appropriate legal measures to ensure you and your administration adhere to our request in the public interest."
They concluded by reaffirming the essential role of the media in a democratic setting: "The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties protect the press not just for the benefit of individual journalists but to ensure the public's right to access information that serves the public good."
