ADC Condemns Shutdown Of Badeggi FM In Niger

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemned the recent shut down of Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio in Minna by Governor Umar Bago of Niger State.

The party said this development revealed a disturbing pattern of executive overreach, disdain for constitutional rights, and a steady erosion of democratic norms under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ADC stated that Governor Umar Bago’s decision to shut down Badeggi FM “with immediate effect” was nothing short of a brazen assault on press freedom and a clear violation of the rule of law in a manner reminiscent of military dictatorship.

The national publicity secretary of ADC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party is greatly concerned about the growing dictatorial tendencies among the state governors of the ruling party, APC.

“We recall the recent public statement made by the APC Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, declaring the presidential candidate of the Labour Party and a leading member of the coalition movement persona non-grata in Edo State.

“Now this: Another APC Governor of Niger State, Muhammed Umaru Bago, has just announced a clamp down on a private radio station in the state, with “immediate effect” in a  manner reminiscent of the worst form of military dictatorship.”

Abdullahi said Governor Bago needed  to be reminded that he was elected by the same people whose truth he now finds uncomfortable.

“The cardinal principle of liberal democracy are the freedoms it guarantees, which includes freedom of speech, movement or association. Under our constitution, no one has the power to truncate these freedoms under any pretext whatsoever. But it does appear that the APC governors who consider themselves as some kind of emperors need to be educated on this democratic principle.”

The opposition party said if the said radio station has behaved unethically in any way or has transgressed the limits of free speech, there are provisions in the laws for legitimate redress and there are institutions saddled with the responsibility of ensuring compliance.