Illegal closure of radio station: You risk your name included in Book of Infamy, International Press Institute warns Governor Bago
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has condemned Governor, Mohammed Bago unlawful suspension of Badegi 90.1 FM, an independent radio station operating in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Penpushing reports that the closure was reportedly ordered by Bago, during an expanded meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held on August 1, 2025, allegedly in response to the station’s broadcast of content critical of the state government.
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria in a statement by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, described the action as yet another crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom by the current administration in Niger State under Governor Bago.
Penpushing further the world body of journalists condemned the arbitrary suspension as a grave violation of press freedom and an assault on democratic norms, recalling previous troubling incidents that point to a growing pattern of repression against the press under Governor Bago’s leadership
‘IPI Nigeria recalled previous troubling incidents that point to a growing pattern of repression against the press under Governor Bago’s leadership. In January 2025, Yakubu Mustapha, the Niger State correspondent for People’s Daily and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), was detained for three days after allegedly circulating an article critical of the governor’s media adviser’, the statement reads.
‘Similarly, in November 2023, Mustapha Batsari, the Niger State correspondent of the Voice of America (VOA), was reportedly assaulted by a commissioner in Governor Bago’s cabinet after requesting an interview regarding a violent clash between farmers in Beji, Bosso Local Government Area’, it added.
‘IPI Nigeria reminded Governor Bago that his actions represent a blatant abuse of power and are incompatible with the rights enshrined in Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee freedom of expression, the right to information, and press freedom’, the statement stated.
Penpushing also reports that the Institute called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the suspension imposed on Badegi FM and warned of further action should the governor fail to comply.
“If Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago fails to unconditionally reverse this illegal suspension within the next 48 hours, IPI Nigeria will be left with no choice but to include his name in our Book of Infamy,” the statement read.
The group emphasised that arbitrary closures of media outlets harm society by restricting the free flow of diverse opinions and information, stressing that such actions,are contrary to the global push for media pluralism and accountability in governance.
“Governor Bago’s administration must uphold the inalienable rights of the people of Niger State, including their rights to free expression, access to information, and freedom of the press’, the body stated.
Penpushing reports that it would be recalled that Book of Infamy was launched by International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria in April 2022 to document individuals whose actions directly or indirectly contribute to the repression, harassment, or intimidation of journalists and media organizations in Nigeria.
The Institute President announcing the initiative during a meeting with then-Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, noted that the list would be routinely updated and shared with embassies, international media freedom organisations, and human rights bodies worldwide.
Penpushing further reports that he emphasized that the International Press Institute (IPI) will use the records to ensure that those listed are held accountable—one way or another.
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