- * NUJ, Amnesty lnternational Condemn Gov's Action
By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The order by the Governor of Niger state, Mohammed Umar Bago for the closure of one of the private FM Radio station in Minna, Badeggi Radio, has attracted condemnations against the All Progressive Congress (APC) administration.
This is coming as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Niger state Council has also advised the Governor Bago led administration to tread with caution and in accordance with democratic tenets in issuing such orders to avoid throwing the state into confusion and political turmoil.
A statement by the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, had accused, Badeggi Radio 90.1 FM of inciting violence.
Amnesty International in quick reaction to the clamp down accused the APC administration in the state of over stepping its bound by ordering that the Radio station be sealed off and its license withdrawn instead of drawing the attention of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to the claimed infractions.
Meanwhile, Niger state Council of the NUJ has called for caution in exercising executive powers especially as it relates to the media industry.
The NUJ in a statement after emergency State Working Committee (SWC) urged the Governor to understand that part of the roles of the media is to hold public officers accountable and as such should not be seen as enemies.
A statement signed by the Council State Secretary of, Comrade Usman Chiji, reminded the Governor and his team that it is only the NBC that has legal powers to issue licenses to Radio and Television stations and as well revoke same through laid down judicial processes and interpretations when such stations defaults.
"What the Governor should have done is to approach NBC and formally lodge complaint rather than outright directive to close down the FM station whose licencing is not within his executive powers to tamper with.
On the alternative, the statement, urging the Governor to be conscious of his actions said he should have made effective use of the NUJ as professional body to table issues relating professional misconducts against any member. NNL.
