PDP Condems Expulsion of Channel TV from Assembly

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George Okoh in   Makurdi

The People Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has decried the expulsion of Channel Television from covering activities of the Benue state House of Assembly by the  Speaker of the assembly Honourable Terkimbi Ikyange as crass impunity.

The party  which spoke through its state Chairman Dr Emmanuel Agbo, also accused the All Progressive Party(APC) of undemocratic practice in the ongoing saga in the state house of assembly.

"The APC still have a long way to go in learning about democratic ways, how can a speaker bar an independent media house in this modern days from covering a house activity despite our having the Freedom of Information Act", Agbo lamented.

He said the APC had been using many underground methods in an attempt to take over the leadership of the state assembly inspite of the PDP having  majority number in the assembly.

He clarified that the PDP was still the majority party in the assembly with 15 members while also warning that the party should stop all its subterfuge in attempting to entice PDP lawmakers to its folds.

"From our findings, the APC promised our lawmakers N10million and cars but our members turned it down, so they should leave us alone to play a virile opposition”, he alleged.

He accused the Benue State Governor and other top members of the APC of benefitting hugely from the PDP benevolence, adding that Governor Samuel Ortom was still a bonafide member of the PDP.

Only last week fracas enveloped the assembly when the PDP member Honourable Nick Eworo attempted to decamp from the party to the APC.
The Situation climaxed  when members of both parties engaged each other in a free for all fight when the matter for the selection of the majority leader came up.

He also said the decision by the Governor Samuel Ortom led administration to dissolve the local government councils was at variance with the principles of rule of law.

According to Dr. Agbo, "The appointment of local government caretaker committees in Benue State was backed up by necessary laws which allows them a tenure of six months.

"They were half way into that six months tenure when they got kicked out by the administration simply because they were appointed by the immediate past administration.

"All we are saying is that this All Progressives Congress, APC,  government has become totalitarian and by so doing, jettisoned all known principles of rule of law and due process.

"We are calling on Governor Ortom to reinstate the caretaker administration at the third tier of government because governance should be predicated on the principles of rule of law and anything to the contrary would be unacceptable

Meanwile the Speaker of the House of Assembly has denied barring any media organization from covering the activities of the Assembly.

Ikyange stated that, this explanation has become necessary in view of reports making the rounds that he had barred Channels Television from publicising the legislative actions of the eight Benue Assembly.

While noting the significant role played by Channels Television in enthroning the “CHANGE AGENDA” currently been enjoyed by Nigerians and Benue People in particular, through effective and balanced reportage of political activities that led to the 2015 general election, the Speaker said the Benue State House of Assembly cannot exclude it from covering the House activities for whatever reason.