Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state, Northwestern Nigeria has ordered the closure of five media houses on Sunday after they covered a political event of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Matawalle held that the event took place in violation of a state ban on political activities.
Matawalle, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress had banned political activities, including meetings at individuals’ homes, on October 13 due to the security challenges in the state.
The ban includes campaigning for February 2023 presidential elections, which was declared open last month.
Zamfara state is among the states battling armed groups of ‘bandits’ who have kidnapped thousands for ransom, rustled cattle, plundered farmlands, murdered hundreds and made many roads impassable.
“Zamfara State Commissioner of Police has been directed to enforce full compliance and arrest of any staff of these media organisations… performing any duties in violation of the shut down,” the state security council released on Sunday.
The affected outlets are NTA Gusau, Amji TV Gusau, Pride FM Radio Gusau, Gamji TV Gusau and Alumma TV Gusau. It did not specify why they had been ordered “shut down”, but state information commissioner Ibrahim Magaji Dosara told the BBC Hausa that it was because they covered PDP activities held in violation of the state government’s order.
In a swift reaction to the order,the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has overruled the Mutawalle’s fiat, adding that the State government acted illegally and that it should apologise to citizens of the State.
