Legacy FM Suspends General Manager Godfrey Chikwere Amid Controversy

The management of Legacy FM, a privately owned radio station based in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has suspended its General Manager, Mr. Godfrey Chikwere, following days of public controversy over his comments on social media and recent on-air remarks.

A statement from the station’s board, issued on Saturday, said the suspension takes effect immediately and would remain in place pending the outcome of an internal review. The management cited “professional conduct concerns” and the need to protect the station’s image and credibility.

Although Legacy FM did not provide detailed reasons for the disciplinary action, sources within the station confirmed that the decision was linked to recent exchanges between Mr. Chikwere and officials of the Ebonyi State Government. The veteran broadcaster, who has been at the helm of the station since its inception, had in recent days openly criticised certain government policies, sparking heated responses from state officials and pro-government groups.

Mr. Chikwere, in his reaction posted on Facebook, suggested that the move was politically motivated, alleging that his stance on governance and his defence of press freedom had unsettled “powerful interests.”

The development has ignited debate within Ebonyi’s media community, with journalists and civil society advocates warning against what they describe as creeping intimidation of independent voices.

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, has yet to issue an official statement, but members are reportedly monitoring the situation closely.