I Didn’t Expel Journalists From Press Conference, Says Abia Speaker

The 8th Abia State House of Assembly Speaker of Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, has refuted reports in some quarters (Not THE WHISTLER)that he expelled journalist from a press briefing at the Assembly’s conference hall in Umuahia.

Some media outlets alleged to be working for the main opposition party in the state had last week alleged that the speaker directed the eviction of ENYIMBA FM staff member, Kingsley Chibuike, from the briefing.

Emeruwa who denied the reports on Sunday described it as false and unfounded, intended to create disaffection between his office and journalists in the state.

The speaker further highlighted his positive relationship with the media, noting that he is a friend of the press and has personal connections with many journalists in the state, most of whom have direct access to him.

Emeruwa emphasised that as a lawmaker, he understands the constitutional role of journalists in a democracy and would not discriminate or order the expulsion of any journalist, regardless of their stance on his stewardship.

He, however, urged the public to disregard the report.

He said, “My attention has been drawn to the reports making the rounds that I, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, expelled a journalist from Enyimba FM, from a press briefing.

“For the record, I’m a friend of the media. I have personal relationships with many journalists in the state, most of who have direct access to me.

“I’m also aware that journalists from different media organizations were invited to a press briefing by the state Assembly to inform them about the setting up of the Abia State House of Assembly service commission by Governor Alex Otti and other important matters.

“They were all seated before my arrival with the Deputy Speaker and other officials of the Assembly, including members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).

“I never expelled any journalist from the press briefing or ordered journalists not to ask questions on any issue.

“As a speaker who knows the constitutional role of the media in a democracy, I have no reason to expel or discriminate against any journalist, no matter his or her position about my stewardship.

“I urge the public to disregard such report as fake, unfounded and meant to create disaffection between the office of the speaker and journalists in the state.”