Only NBC, not Kano govt, can regulate radio, television contents – NBA president
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through its president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has observed that Kano State government was wrong to have announced a ban on all live political programmes aired on radio and television stations in the state, saying it was usurpation of the duty of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
He said this in a statement posted on his X account on Thursday.
See the full statement of the NBA president:
Kano State Government Cannot Usurp NBC’s Role or Gag Free Speech
In a move that strikes at the very heart of democratic expression, the Kano State Government has announced a ban on all live political programmes aired by radio and television stations in the state.
This action, allegedly aimed at curbing “inflammatory, divisive, and defamatory content,” is not only ill-advised but entirely unconstitutional.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) unequivocally states that no state government has the legal competence to regulate or censor broadcast content in Nigeria. That responsibility lies squarely with the National Broadcasting Commission (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 governments, 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.
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The NBA calls for the immediate reversal of this directive and urges the National Broadcasting Commission to reassert its regulatory authority to prevent future encroachments by state governments.
As a profession and as an institution, 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 criminalized.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
President,
Nigerian Bar Association
Group reacts to NBA president, demands disciplinary probe
A civil society group, Eye on Kano Initiative, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to investigate what it termed “unprofessional and inflammatory” remarks by the association’s president.
In a statement released on Friday, the group, through its Secretary General Tijjani Sarki, accused Osigwe of making false allegations concerning the recent suspension of live political programmes on radio and television stations in Kano state.
The statement said the NBA president’s comments are “premature, reckless, and lacking factual basis.”
“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 statement read.
The group questioned whether the NBA consulted with its Kano branch or engaged with media stakeholders in the state before going public.
“If no disciplinary action is taken within 72 hours, we may be forced to conclude that the NBA, under its current leadership, is complicit in attempts to destabilise Kano State,” Sarki warned.
The group threatened legal action for defamation and incitement, adding that such public statements risk inflaming tensions and eroding public trust.
They further accused Osigwe of selective activism, ignoring national emergencies while hastily reacting to state-level matters without adequate information.
“It is both ironic and unfortunate that the NBA, which should be a moral compass and a guardian of justice, has instead chosen the path of propaganda and half-truths,” the group stated.
They urged the NBA leadership to rein in its president and restore the Association’s credibility by upholding objectivity and restraint in public engagements.
