The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned what it described as “authoritarian excesses” by the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, following his recent order to shut down Badeggi FM, a private radio station operating in the state.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the governor’s action is a “brazen assault on press freedom and a dangerous slide toward dictatorship,” warning that Nigeria’s democratic values are under threat from similar actions across states governed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This development reveals a disturbing pattern of executive overreach, disdain for constitutional rights, and a steady erosion of democratic norms under the APC,” the party stated.
According to the ADC, Governor Bago’s decision to shut down Badeggi FM “with immediate effect” mirrors “the worst form of military dictatorship “and constitutes a violation of the rule of law and democratic principles that guarantee freedom of expression and press freedom.”
The party referenced a recent remark by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who declared Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, persona non grata in Edo State. It described such actions as a growing tendency among APC governors to suppress dissent and intimidate opposition voices.
“Perhaps Governor Bago needs to be reminded that he was elected by these same people whose truth he now finds so uncomfortable that he is willing to have their heads,” the statement read.
The ADC emphasised that the Nigerian constitution guarantees freedoms of speech, association, and movement, and that no governor can curtail these liberties under any guise. It also noted that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is empowered by law, under Section 2(1)(b) of the NBC Act, to sanction broadcast stations—not any state governor.
“By criminalising free speech and declaring dissent as treason, Governor Bago has demonstrated the scant regard he has for the very constitution he swore to uphold,” the party said. “For an elected governor to accuse citizens of the highest crime in the land—treason—because they dared to broadcast information that made him uncomfortable, is outrageous in every respect.”
The ADC warned that allowing this act to go unchallenged would set a dangerous precedent that could undermine press freedom and civil liberties nationwide.
“Today it is Badeggi FM—tomorrow it could be a newspaper, a social media platform, or a journalist asking the ‘wrong questions.’ This is how autocracy begins: not with tanks in the streets, but with microphones being seized and studios being bulldozed,” the party warned.
Calling on Nigerians to resist what it termed “creeping dictatorship,” the ADC demanded the immediate unsealing of Badeggi FM and the launch of an independent probe into the alleged misuse of security operatives for political retaliation.
The party also urged the National Assembly to act swiftly in reinforcing the autonomy of the NBC to insulate the nation’s broadcast regulatory framework from political interference.
“Governor Bago must be held accountable, not just for trampling on constitutional rights, but for setting a precedent that endangers democracy itself,” it added.
