Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The management of a private radio station in Ebonyi State, Legacy FM, has announced the suspension of its General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere.
Premium Times gathered that his suspension followed his criticism of the Governor of the state, Francis Nwifuru, both on the station and on social media.
Mr Chikwere had previously worked at the state government-owned broadcast station, Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation, before being appointed General Manager of the private station in 2023.
The suspension came after attacks he received from the state government’s spokespersons following his recent programme on the radio station and comments on social media.
In an announcement on the radio station on Saturday, the management accused Mr Chikwere of flouting the code of conduct of the radio station.
“The management of Legacy FM 95.1, The Sound of Now, hereby suspends the Acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, with immediate effect till further notice.
“This is due to unruly behaviour and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding Legacy FM.
“With such effect, he is hereby directed to hand over all company property in his possession to the next senior officer. Signed, Management,” the statement said.
Criticism
Mr Chikwere, in a post on his Facebook page on Friday, urged Mr Nwifuru to take decisive action to protect his image and that of Ebonyi State.
He warned that public perception of the governor’s administration was deteriorating.
Chikwere lamented what he described as poor communication, unpunished underperformance by appointees, and unfulfilled pronouncements.
He cautioned that the governor’s goodwill was dwindling and advised him to “step on toes” to achieve results.
He stressed that true supporters were pained by the current state of affairs.
Governor’s spokesperson reacts
In a statement, the governor’s spokesperson, Monday Uzor, condemned the recent criticisms against Mr Nwifuru’s administration by Mr Chikwere.
Describing the criticisms as unfounded, Mr Uzor accused Mr Chikwere of ingratitude by using his platforms to attack the governor despite benefiting from government support.
“It is regrettable that despite the radio station thriving only on government support, the supposed helmsman dedicates a greater percentage of the station’s airtime to attacking and running down the government whose support has kept his medium afloat.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the governor gifted the medium a brand new Changan SUV, donated a brand new transformer that powers the station, and constructed the road leading to the broadcasting house.
“But rather than give at least balanced coverage of government activities, it has been turned into a slaughterhouse of the governor’s genuine development efforts and goodwill. What a way to be ungrateful to good deeds!” he said.
Uzor urged the National Broadcasting Commission and the Nigeria Union of Journalists to address the matter.
He also called on the public to disregard the critic, whom he described as attempting to suppress the state’s rising profile.
Commissioner reacts
Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, also condemned Mr Chikwere’s criticisms, describing them as derogatory and inciting.
In a statement on Saturday, Mr Omebeh accused the journalist of overstepping his bounds.
He said such remarks were unacceptable and an affront to the collective identity of Ebonyi people.
While noting that the government welcomes constructive criticism, the commissioner warned against attempts to incite citizens against their leaders.
Outrage
The suspension of the journalist has drawn criticisms against the radio station’s management and the state government.
A resident, Mr Ikechukwu Elom, argued that radio and television stations should accommodate critical voices.
He noted that if such suspensions were the norm, stations like Arise TV and Channels Television would have lost prominent journalists.
He stressed that the media’s role is to hold government accountable, provided it avoids libel or slander.
“If this is how radio or television stations suspend their staff who are critical of government policies, then Arise TV would not have any staff remaining by now, and even Channels Television would not have a person like Seun Okinbaloye.
“Any radio or television station or even a media person who wants to thrive must have the capacity to hold government and politicians accountable, because that’s the role of the media — so long as the media person or house is not committing libel or slander,” he said.
