The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has condemned Governor Bello Matawalle’s government’s clampdown on media organisations in Zamfara.

Mr Matawalle, on Saturday, ordered the immediate shutdown of Radio Nigeria’s Pride FM in Gusau, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Gusau, Gamji Television, Vision FM, and Al Umma Television for violating his government’s order and journalism practice.

A statement signed earlier by the information commissioner Ibrahim Dosara announced the shutdown, disclosing that the government, through state security, approved and ordered the closure of the media outlets.

In a statement signed by its president Musikilu Mojeed on Sunday, IPI Nigeria kicked against the shutdown, saying the Zamfara government did not have the power to shut down media houses.

It called on the police commissioner in Zamfara not to enforce the order by the government.

“Shutting down media houses is a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria. If any media organisation has flouted any law, the only option opened to the Zamfara state government is to approach the court for redress,” noted the statement. “Resorting to self-help as done by the Zamfara State government threatens the rule of law and could lead to anarchy.”

IPI Nigeria further asserted that by shutting down media houses, the Zamfara government had taken the law into its own hands, calling for the immediate withdrawal of “all directives impeding freedom of expression” in Zamfara.

The organisation also demanded an apology from the Zamfara government and called on federal authorities to direct the Zamfara governor to comply with the dictates of the rule of law.

The statement said this should be done by immediately withdrawing the order to shut down the media organisations. 

(NAN)