The unthinkable happened in Nigeria today. Daar Communication, the parent company of African Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM radio license was today cancelled by Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) under the control of the executive branch,headed by president Buhari. There is no way that the chairman of Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation can shut down AIT and Ray power FM radio without the consent of president Buhari.
Federal government of Nigeria through National Broadcasting corporation are claiming that the two-broadcasting outlet is not adhering to Nigerian broadcasting code. The reason given by the federal government for shutting down DAAR communication is nonsense. It is a blatant lie used to shut down a media outlet that frequently criticizes the current government. Nigerian constitution grantees freedom of expression. The hallmark of any democracy is government guarantee of the freedom of expression by all, irrespective of who the utterances are directed at.
The action of the federal government is a scene out of the book of renowned dictators around the world. They usually start by closing media houses. We, Nigerians have had a lot of military dictators and coups for decades and these dictators normally start by closing media houses. How could the federal government move in that misguided direction at this time. It is difficult to fathom how this type of action can take place in the year 2019. I thought Nigeria is beyond that. Action like this is the reason why international community did not root for President Buhari’s re-election in 2019. They preferred his opponent. Closing of television and radio station has validated their concerns and misgiving about the current administration.
For Nigerians living abroad, this action by the federal government was an insult and a shameful act which they have to explain to residents of their host countries when asked because closing of television and radio outlets catches attention of Western countries and mature democracies around the world. The federal government is basically telling the world that Nigeria is not a democracy. Impunity that is taking place is terrible coupled with the fact that some court orders have been ignored by the current government such as several court orders which ordered release of the leader of the Shiite religion in Nigeria and other court orders. Cumulative impact of lawlessness will have a very negative impact on Nigeria image and will depress foreign investment since nobody in the right mind will like to take a risk of investing their money in a place with weak law enforcement.
Fortunately, Nigerian court have intervened and restored the status quo pending hearing of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation case against AIT and Ray Power. If the court ends up reversing this ill- advised action of the federal government, that will show that Nigerian democracy is moving forward and working as the constitution mandates which is enough checks and balances between the executive, legislative and the judiciary. Over-turning federal government cancellation of DAAR communication license by the court will turn a very bad decision into display of maturity of Nigerian democracy.