• Ban on live political interviews unsettles stakeholders
From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
When Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf met with the 484 councillors in Kano State weeks ago, he spoke his mind on a variety of issues. One of them was his displeasure over the rising cases of defamation of character. He promised his administration was looking into the challenge and would take decisive steps to address the situation.
A week after, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, announced the controversial ban. A statement signed by the director, Special Duties, Sani Abba Yola, however, explained that the ban was aimed at preventing the spread of inflammatory content in the state.
Presenters were also barred from asking “provocative questions” or “making suggestive gestures” that could lead to statements capable of defaming individuals or damaging the image of Kano State: “Anyone appearing on media platforms in the state for interviews must sign an undertaking to refrain from making inflammatory, derogatory or culturally offensive remarks.”
Waiya, who chaired the session with the media executives, said the ban was not to suppress political opposition but rather to safeguard the sanctity of Kano’s cultural and religious values. He expressed appreciation over the unwavering support of media leaders, which he said had contributed immensely to the ministry’s progress in curbing unethical content on public platforms.
He commended the noticeable reduction in abusive language in some broadcast programmes, attributing the achievement to the productive engagements held in previous meetings.
However, Prince Ajayi Memeayatan ranked the government low on this subject matter. According to the octogenarian, who was the first state chapter chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said: “The ban has no basis in the 1999 Constitution or the FO1. It is not within the powers of the state government to attempt to gag the entire press.
“Where there are pressmen worthy of their call, that policy is most likely to be observed in breach. We have our internal regulatory bodies in the NUJ. The press might have its own flaws, but I can assure you that its own regulatory structures are good enough to tackle whatever is misplaced in the way and manner the journalists practice their trade.
“We also have the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) where an aggrieved party can look up to get remedies. It means fundamentally that the government cannot play the role of the executive and at the same time play the role of the judiciary.
“The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which has been in the habit of fining media houses for alleged infractions, has been recently called to order.”
“It is usurpation of the duty of the NBC,” Osigwe, SAN, said in a statement posted on his X account yesterday. He declared that no state government has the legal competence to regulate or censor broadcast content in Nigeria:
“That responsibility lies squarely with the NBC, established by the NBC Act, to ensure that broadcast content aligns with national standards and constitutional provisions.
“The NBC Code already provides a comprehensive framework for regulating broadcasting, including mechanisms for addressing inappropriate or harmful content. If any station is found in breach of these guidelines, the NBC, not state government, is empowered to take corrective action.
“This unilateral action by the Kano State Government amounts to a gross violation of Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to receive and impart information and ideas without interference.
“Attempting to suppress live political programming under the guise of maintaining public order sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the vibrancy of political discourse, transparency and accountability. It also undermines media independence and public access to information, especially in a democratic society where the free exchange of ideas is non-negotiable.”
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), fumed: “Kano State Government is wrong to bar all live political programmes aired on radio and television stations in the state.” It called for its immediate reversal, urging the NBC to reassert its regulatory authority to prevent encroachment by state governments:
“The NBA remains resolute in defending the rule of law and constitutional freedoms. Nigeria cannot afford to slide into an era where critical voices are silenced, and lawful expression is criminalised.”
The Eye on Kano Initiative (EKI) issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the NBA to investigate the “unprofessional and inflammatory” remarks by its president. EKI Secretary General, Tijjani Sarki, said:
“For the NBA president to issue such a sweeping condemnation without verified facts, formal inquiry, or direct engagement with the Kano State Government is shamefully unprofessional.”
The group threatened legal action for defamation and incitement if no disciplinary action is taken within 72 hours: “Such public statements risk inflaming tensions and eroding public trust.”