Bago Never Shut Down Radio Station – Niger Govt

Niger State government has said a recent report by the International Press Institute (IPI) alleging that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago shut down Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio Station was misconstrued and based on a false narrative.

The chief press secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, in a statement yesterday, said, “At no time was Badeggi FM Radio station shut down”.

“While the governor issued a strong caution to the station and mentioned that the station be shut down because it was organising programmes that could incite tensions in the state, especially considering Niger State’s ongoing security challenges, the radio station continued operations without interruption”, the said.

According to him, the Governor’s stance was rooted in the need to prevent content that could jeopardise peace and public safety.

He said the claim that Badeggi Radio was ever closed by the Governor was incorrect, saying “we therefore urged the public to disregard such misinformation.

It was mentioned but never enforced”.

The statement said Governor Bago has a longstanding reputation as a media-friendly leader during his three terms in the House of Representatives because “his engagement with journalists and the National Assembly Press Corps was consistently open, transparent, and cooperative, which is verifiable.

He claimed that the Governor has maintained the same respectful relationship with the media in his current role as Governor of Niger State.

The Chief Press Secretary said the Governor remained committed to press freedom, responsible journalism, and a peaceful Niger State.