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By Myke Agunwa
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has accused the Kano State Governo,r Kabir Yusuf of gaging free speech and usurping the role of Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) following the ban on live broadcast cast of political activities in the state.
Recall that last week, the Kano State Government, banned live political programmes and prohibited journalists from asking what it called “provocative” questions during media interviews.
In a statement issued after a meeting with media executives, Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, declared a ban on live political programmes across all media platforms in the state.
According to the statement, anyone appearing on air for interviews must sign an undertaking to avoid making abusive, defamatory, or culturally offensive remarks. It equally prohibited presenters from asking what the government describes as “provocative questions” or using suggestive gestures that could elicit controversial responses or damage the image of the state.
Reacting to the development, NBC said that the action, allegedly aimed at curbing “inflammatory, divisive, and defamatory content,” is not only ill-advised but entirely unconstitutional.
In a issued by the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN) via its X handlde on Friday, the association holds 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”, NBA stated.
“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”.
The NBA called for the immediate reversal of the directive and urged the National Broadcasting Commission to reassert its regulatory authority to prevent future encroachments by state governments.
NBA reaffirmed its determination in defending the rule of law and constitutional freedoms. It added that “Nigeria cannot afford to slide into an era where critical voices are silenced, and lawful expression is criminalized”.