Legacy FM, a privately-owned radio station in Ebonyi State, has suspended its Acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, following his outspoken criticism of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration.
The suspension, announced on Saturday, August 9, 2025, has sparked widespread debate about press freedom and the relationship between media and political power in the state.
The management of Legacy FM 95.1 cited “unruly behaviour” and “disobedience to the code of conduct” as reasons for Chikwere’s suspension, directing him to hand over all company property to the next senior officer.
The decision comes on the heels of Chikwere’s critical remarks about Governor Nwifuru’s policies, made both during radio broadcasts and on social media.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Chikwere urged the governor to adopt a tougher stance in governance, alleging that the state’s perception index was “low and dwindling daily at a very embarrassing level.”
He further criticized some of Nwifuru’s appointees for neglecting their duties and accused the administration of suffering from poor communication and a lack of clear policy direction.
Sources indicate that Chikwere’s comments, which included calls for the governor to “step on toes” to deliver results, were seen as casting the administration in an unfavorable light.
The station’s management stated that his actions breached its code of ethics, prompting his immediate suspension.
The Ebonyi State government swiftly responded to Chikwere’s remarks. On Monday, Monday Uzor, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, issued a statement condemning the suspended radio executive for what he described as “unwarranted attacks” on the administration.
Uzor highlighted the government’s support for Legacy FM, including the donation of a brand-new Changan SUV, a transformer to power the station, and the construction of an access road to its premises.
He accused Chikwere of ingratitude, stating, “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 attack and run down the government whose support has kept his medium afloat.
”Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Ikeuwa Omebeh, also weighed in, labeling Chikwere’s remarks as “derogatory and inciting.”
Omebeh argued that the comments were an insult to the collective identity of Ebonyi people and that Chikwere had “overstepped his bounds.”
The suspension has drawn mixed reactions. Comrade Chukwu, the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), condemned the action, describing Chikwere as a “leading voice” in the state who was punished for “speaking truth to power.”
Chukwu called for a boycott of Legacy FM, arguing that the suspension undermines free expression.
The incident has reignited discussions about the delicate balance between media freedom and political influence in Nigeria.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayAdvertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com