SUN AUG 03 2025-theGBJournal| The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said it has written an ”open letter” to the Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, urging him to immediately reverse the arbitrary and unlawful decision to strip Badeggi FM radio station of its licence.
In the letter dated 2 August, 2025, and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP called for the reinstatement of the station’s licence, withdraw threat to demolish the station’s premises, and end what it describes as ”crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Niger state.”
SERAP said, ”Silencing critical or dissenting voices under the guise of vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns is a fundamental breach of your constitutional oath of office and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
According to SERAP, ”Silencing Badeggi FM and its owner would have a chilling effect on the protection of freedom of expression and media freedom across several states.”
SERAP said it is concerned that the shutdown of Badeggi FM is just the latest example of a pattern of harassment, intimidation and attacks by your government against journalists and others gathering and disseminating information in the public interest.
”The free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues between citizens, candidates and elected representatives is essential. This implies a free press and other media able to comment on public issues without censorship or restraint and to inform public opinion.”
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