Kano Cannot Override NBC Authority Or Gag Free Speech, Says NBA President Osigwe
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned a recent directive by the Kano State Government. The State Government banned live political programmes on radio and television stations.
NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, described the move as unconstitutional and a threat to democratic expression and free speech. He stated that the regulation of broadcast content lies strictly with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), not with state governments.
According to Osigwe, only the NBC, established by federal law, has the power to monitor and sanction broadcast stations for violating content rules. He insisted that Kano State lacks the legal authority to restrict media programming or interfere with political broadcasts.
“The NBC Code provides a clear framework for regulating broadcasting in Nigeria. No state can assume this responsibility,” Osigwe stated. He warned that the Kano directive infringes on Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution. This provision protects the right to freedom of expression.
Osigwe argued that attempts to block live political discourse, under the guise of curbing “divisive or inflammatory” speech, set a dangerous democratic precedent. He added that such actions risk undermining transparency, public participation, and accountability.
“The NBA urges the Kano State Government to reverse this unconstitutional order immediately,” Osigwe said. He called on the NBC to reassert its regulatory control and prevent similar encroachments across the country.
He further emphasized that censorship by local authorities weakens public trust in governance and limits access to information in a democratic society.
The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rule of law, civil liberties, and media independence. It warned that Nigeria cannot afford a return to practices that suppress dissent and punish lawful expression.
Kano’s attempt to bypass the NBC in regulating broadcast content remains a critical concern for legal professionals and rights advocates nationwide.
