• Demands Apology over Remark Against House

• Safiu Kehinde

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Donald Ojogo (APC, Ondo), has fired back at Arise TV presenter, Reuben Abati, over his remark against the Green Chamber.

Ojogo had, at Thursday’s plenary, called the attention of the House to Abati’s alleged description of the legislative body as “stupid” and “idiotic” over the proposed creation of 31 new states in the country.

The Nigerian lawmaker labelled the remark, which he claimed Abati made on the 7th of February on an Arise TV programme, as derogatory and offensive.

Prior to his reaction on Abati’s remark, Ojogo clarified that the state creation bill proposed by members of the parliament but was based on Nigerians request for new states.

The lawmaker who claimed to be a trained journalist with over 27 years of practice, described Abati’s remark as unfortunate, uncultured, and baseless.

He held that the derogatory remarks undermined his integrity and dented his person as a trained journalist.

“It is important to note that this announcement was made in fulfilment of the requirements for such proposals and not as a bill or proposal initiated by this House of Representatives.

“Unfortunately, the announcement has generated varied degrees of reactions.

“However, one particular reaction that has crossed the bounds of decorum, decency, and professionalism, breaching the ethics of journalism and by extension, the privileges of this house.

“Mr. Speaker and distinguished members of the honourable House of Representatives, I rise today under the aforementioned order to draw the attention of the honourable house to a derogatory and offensive comment made by one Reuben Abati of Arise News Television.

“In a viral video, Abati described the House of Representatives as “stupid”, idiotic”.

“This is an unfortunate, uncultured, and a profoundly baseless allegation that has undermined the integrity of this House and infringe on my privilege as a member of the House and by extension, a bit of dent on my person as a trained journalist of over 27 years that have been moulded for leadership role in this country.

“Abati premised his unguided remarks on the cover story of This Day, although he called it Editorial which is wrong. The media outlet, same ownership as Arise TV on Friday 7th of February, used it as a springboard for his unjustifiable assertions.

“His remarks laden with arrogance and ignorance of facts represents a gross display of unprofessionalism. At the same point, it is also a betrayal of the very proud profession of journalism.” Ojogo said.

He continued that freedom of speech and Press freedom which he claimed the House held in high regards, come with responsibility.

The lawmaker maintained that the freedom is not an avenue to distort fact and not a theatre where people display insanity.

While charging the House not to allow the remarks go unchallenged, Ojogo demanded public apology from Reuben Abati and Arise TV.

He also urged the Green Chamber leadership to devise strict measures that will prevent future occurrences of such incident.

“While this House upholds the principle of freedom of speech and Press freedom, we want to emphasize that such right always come with high level of responsibility.

“Freedom of speech is not a license for dissemination of falsehoods. It is also not an opportunity for the distortion of facts.

“Freedom of Speech and Press freedom is not a theatre where people display insanity. This honourable House must not allow this insult to stand unchallenged.

“Therefore, I respectfully submit these two prayers for the consideration and approval of this house.

“One, demand an unreserved apology Dr. Reuben Abati and Arise TV within 24 hours for their derogatory comments and also providing the platform for the dissemination of such derogatory comment.

“Two and finally, take other measures deemed necessary by the House leadership to address this national insult and prevent reoccurrence.” He added.