PDP Vs APC: Reason Zamfara Governor Shut Down TV, Radio Stations

Details have emerged revealing why Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State ordered the shutting down of some broadcast stations on Saturday night.

These stations shut down by the Zamfara government include the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Gusau, Federal Radio Corporation Pride FM Gusau, Al’umma TV, Gamji FM, and Gamji TV.

The immediate closure of the television and radio stations was announced on Zamfara Radio by the information commissioner in the state, Ibrahim Dosara.

The Zamfara State government asked the state police commissioner, Kolo Yusuf, to ensure full compliance with the order, despite not giving any reason for taking such steps beyond saying the stations violated government order and journalism practice.

However, sources have told Premium Times that Governor Matawalle shut down the stations because they went ahead to broadcast the campaign event of the governorship candidate of the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dauda Dare, on Friday, despite a ban on political activities.

Recall that the governor, through his information commissioner, last Friday, placed a ban on all political gatherings in the state till further notice.

It claimed that the ban was necessary due to the resurgence of the activities of terrorists in the state and the need to show concern and sympathy with people and communities attacked by bandits.

He said: “Stakeholders invited for the Friday APC Stakeholders’ Meeting are hereby advised to hold on for a new date for the meeting.

“Furthermore, the government has suspended all political activities in the state till further notice.

“Political meetings and gatherings at individual residences are also banned with immediate effect.”

Naija News reports that this goes contrary to the directive of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – empowered by law to regulate elections and campaigns- that had on September 28 approved the commencement of campaign activities.

“The governor was angry,” a top source at the Zamfara Government House told Premium Times.

“If you know him, you would know that he hates it when someone tries to belittle him. He can take any action.

“He wanted to send a message to the opposition, but this is a political season, and I believe he is wrong.”

“I don’t know what happened during the discussion. Maybe the journalists didn’t agree with the government’s demands. But I knew that the decision to shut them was taken because of that action,” he said.