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SERAP Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Niger State Governor Over Badeggi FM Radio Station License Reversal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has been given a 48-hour ultimatum by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to reverse his decision to strip Badeggi FM radio station of its license. The civil society organisation also requested that the Governor reinstate the radio station's license, withdraw his threat to demolish its premises, and stop the crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Niger State. SERAP made the call in an open letter dated August 2, 2025, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and expressed concerns over the alleged attacks against the radio station's owner, Shuaibu Badeggi, and other staff members.

Key Takeaways:

  • SERAP has given Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, a 48-hour ultimatum to reverse his decision to strip Badeggi FM radio station of its license.
  • The organization requested that the Governor reinstate the radio station's license, withdraw his threat to demolish its premises, and stop the crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Niger State.
  • SERAP alleged that Governor Bago's actions are a fundamental breach of his constitutional oath of office and Nigeria's international human rights obligations.
  • The organization insisted that silencing critical or dissenting voices under the guise of vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns is a breach of the governor's constitutional oath of office.
  • SERAP warned that if the Governor fails to comply with their request within 48 hours, they will take all appropriate legal actions to compel him and his government to comply.
  • The organization expressed concerns that the crackdown on Badeggi FM and its owner could discourage press participation in debates over matters of legitimate public concern ahead of the 2027 general elections.
  • SERAP insisted that restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom must be provided by law, aimed at protecting legitimate objectives, and necessary to achieve those aims.

Statistics:

  • August 2, 2025: The date of SERAP's open letter to Governor Umar Bago regarding the Badeggi FM radio station license reversal.
  • 48 hours: The ultimatum given to Governor Bago to reverse his decision and comply with SERAP's request.
  • 1999: The year the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was enacted.
  • 2027: The year of the general elections in Nigeria.

Sources:

  • [Open letter from SERAP to Governor Umar Bago, dated August 2, 2025]
  • [Name of source not provided in the original text]

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