The Kano State Government announced a ban on live political programs across radio and television stations in the state, citing the need to curb inflammatory content that could incite unrest.
The directive, issued by the Kano State Censorship Board, targets programs featuring unscripted political discussions, debates, or call-ins, which authorities claim have fueled tensions in the state’s volatile political landscape. The decision follows recent clashes between supporters of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which left three dead and dozens injured in Kano metropolis.
The ban requires media houses to pre-record political content for review by the censorship board, ensuring compliance with guidelines prohibiting hate speech, defamation, or incitement. Violators face fines of up to ₦5 million or license suspension. The government, led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, justified the measure as a response to rising hate speech on airwaves, particularly during live shows discussing the 2023 gubernatorial election disputes and local government polls. Kano, with a population of 15 million, has a history of political violence, including riots in 2019 that killed 12.
Media organizations have expressed concerns about the ban’s impact on press freedom, arguing it could stifle legitimate discourse in a state where radio reaches 80% of residents. The policy aligns with broader regulatory efforts in Nigeria, where the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) fined stations ₦20 million in 2024 for airing inflammatory content. The Kano government has pledged to train broadcasters on ethical reporting and plans to lift the ban after establishing stricter oversight mechanisms. The move highlights the delicate balance between maintaining public order and preserving democratic expression in Nigeria’s most populous state.