Apologise, Relocate Demolished Breeze FM, 99.9, NUJ To Al-Makura

The NUJ in a statement by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, described the governor’s action as “truly worried that at a time when the Nigerian State needs the support and cooperation of the media more in fighting corruption, criminality and terrorism in the country, the media is now being attacked by the same Government that is entrusted with the safety and security of all Nigerians.”

The statement reads: “There can be no plausible explanation to this act of intimidation by Governor Tanko Al Makura on the radio station ostensibly because the structure housing the radio was not approved by the Nasarawa State Urban Development Board. It is instructive to note that the same Governor was represented at the time the radio station was being commissioned.

“We wish to note that in a democracy, Government should be seen to be protecting the interest of all and sundry and not only the interest of those in authority who can do and undo according to their whims and caprices.

“The Union cautions that the media yet remain the pivot of a virile democracy and should be jealously guarded, protected but sanitized appropriately and be allowed to always test the resilience of the free speech and free press clauses by challenging any attempt to restrict their coverage of political activities and the society and by arguing passionately that the public has a right to know.

“It is in the light of the above that we condemn this unwarranted destruction of the premises of Breeze FM Lafia on the orders of Governor Al Makura and call for an unconditional apology for this untoward act, the immediate relocation of the station by the Nasarawa State Government and payment of compensation for the great loss suffered by the radio station.”