NBA to Bago: Only NBC Can Shut Down a Station—Withdraw Your Order Now

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a scathing condemnation of Niger State Governor Umar Bago’s directive to shut down Badeggi FM, describing the move as an egregious abuse of executive power and a serious threat to press freedom. According to IReporter Online, the NBA labeled the action “executive rascality of the highest order” and called for its immediate reversal.

Governor Bago had reportedly ordered the suspension of operations at Badeggi Radio FM, alleging that the station engaged in unethical broadcasting and incited public sentiment against his administration. The directive has since drawn widespread backlash, with legal experts and media rights groups calling it unconstitutional.

In a statement released on Saturday, NBA President Afam Osigwe insisted that the governor acted outside the scope of his authority, emphasizing that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is constitutionally empowered to suspend or revoke broadcast licenses.

“This constitutes executive rascality of the highest order. It is a blatant abuse of power that undermines constitutional democracy and the rule of law,” Osigwe said. “The governor lacks the legal authority to shut down any media establishment.”

He called on law enforcement agencies, including the Commissioner of Police, to disregard any order that violates the rights of citizens or contradicts constitutional provisions. The NBA declared the shutdown as having “no legal effect” and urged Governor Bago to immediately rescind the directive.

Osigwe stressed that arbitrary closures of media houses weaken the fabric of democracy and violate citizens’ rights to access independent information. “A free and independent media is not a privilege—it is a constitutional right and a cornerstone of any democratic society,” he said.

Legal analysts believe the NBA’s strong position underscores growing concerns over increasing state-level infringements on media independence. Observers have warned that without urgent redress, such actions could set a dangerous precedent for executive overreach in the country.