Press Freedom: Abia Speaker Emeruwa Under Fire, Faces Heavy Criticism from Security Consultant for Anti-Democracy Threats | #NwokeukwuMascot
News
… Abia Speaker, Emeruwa, is a Disgrace - Chikwe Udensi | #NwokeukwuMascot
File Image |
In a scathing critique, Sir Chikwe Udensi, a renowned security consultant with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), has condemned Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, for his alleged hostility towards journalists. Udensi described Emeruwa's actions as "a disgrace" in light of recent events.
The controversy centers around an incident where a journalist from Enyimba TV and Radio Ltd, Aba, was forcibly removed from a press briefing held by the Speaker. This incident followed persistent reporting by the media outlet, urging Emeruwa to fulfill his constitutional duty by swearing in Hon. Aaron Uzodike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Uzodike was declared the winner of the 2023 Aba North State Constituency election by the Court of Appeal in November and received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in December 2023. Despite this, Emeruwa, a member of the Labour Party, has refused to swear in Uzodike, raising significant concerns among stakeholders.
In a radio interview monitored in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Wednesday, Udensi vehemently criticized the Speaker’s actions, stating, "The Speaker's action is a very big slap to the freedom of press." Udensi argued that Emeruwa's professed respect for journalism was deceitful, emphasizing, "It is a very big slap to the freedom of press; a very big slap to the freedom of speech; it is a very big slap to journalism itself."
Udensi further expressed alarm over the implications of Emeruwa's actions for democracy in the state, declaring, "Reports have indicated that Emeruwa is a threat to democracy, and we should not continue to allow somebody like that to oversee a very important arm of government."
The security consultant did not mince words in his condemnation, concluding with a forceful statement: "Emeruwa is a disgrace, a very big disgrace, and his actions should be condemned without equivocation."
In response to the uproar, unverified reports surfaced earlier today suggesting that the embattled Speaker denied the allegations, claiming he never chased any journalist away from a press conference in the House of Assembly complex as speculated online.
The situation has sparked a broader debate about press freedom and the responsibilities of public officials in Abia State, with many calling for greater accountability and respect for constitutional duties.
Comments
Post a Comment