The Speaker of the Abia State House of Representatives, His Excellency Emmanuel Emeruwa, has categorically denied allegations that he expelled a journalist from Enyimba FM during a press briefing held at the conference hall of the State House of Representatives in Umuahia.
Reacting to the claims made by Enyimba FM, Speaker Emeruwa described the report as “false, baseless and intended to create discord between the office of the Speaker and journalists in the state.” He urged the public to reject the allegations completely.
In a statement titled “On the Expulsion of Enyimba FM Journalists from a press conference at the Abia State House of Assembly on Monday, Speaker Emeruwa reiterated his commitment to upholding the constitutional role of journalists in a democracy. He stated categorically that he would never discriminate or order the expulsion of any journalist, regardless of their views on his leadership.
“I am a friend of the media and have personal relationships with many journalists in the state, some of whom have direct access to me,” House Speaker Emeruwa stressed.
He explained that during the press briefing on the establishment of the Abia State House of Representatives service commission by Governor Alex Otti and other important issues, journalists from various media organizations were present. He stressed that all journalists were present and seated before his arrival along with the Deputy Speaker, other House officials and members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).
“I have never kicked any journalist out of a press conference or ordered them not to ask questions on any topic,” House Speaker Emeruwa stressed.
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He stressed his respect for press freedom and his commitment to fostering a conducive environment for media practitioners to carry out their duties.
“I urge the public to disregard the report as false and baseless propaganda aimed at creating divisions between the speaker’s office and journalists in the state,” he added.
Abia House Speaker denies kicking journalists out of press conference, calls report fake first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.
