…Move sparks outrage as CSO says directives illegal, unenforceable, and threat to democracy
By Augustine Aminu
The directives of the leadership of the House of Representatives to muzzle lawmakers from speaking on matters concerning the legislative house have sparked outrage in the public.
The Speaker Tajudeen Abbas-led House of Representatives in a statement signed by the House Spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi on Monday restricted members of the House from forming or belonging to any WhatsApp group except authorised by Speaker, the Speaker also banned formation of any political association by Members of the House of Reps including speaking out publicly on National Issues and ordered that only his appointed Spokesperson will be speaking.
But in a swift reaction, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Center for free speech and public commentary in a statement issued by its coordinator Israel priye said the House leadership directives were illegal and unenforceable, especially in a democracy.
In the statement issued in Abuja, the Cordinator said the decision of the House was a draconian move thwart the freedom of expression and information, which are laws made by the National Assembly.
According to the group, the directives of the House leadership was also an attempt to censor independent minded lawmakers from speaking to the media on the activities of the parliament that were at variance with public interests.
“The nation is awaken today to the directives from the leadership of the House of Representatives under the Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas that members should henceforth cease to speak for the House and concentrated dissemination of parliamentary information to the designated spokespersons and leadership.
“The directives conveyed by Hon. Akin Rotimi, House Spokesman reads in parts: To maintain the integrity of parliamentary communication, only channels authorised and sanctioned by the House are to be used for any official communication.
“Unauthorised media engagements by Members are considered unparliamentary and
unethical. Speaking on behalf of the House is reserved exclusively for the House Spokesperson, Deputy, and Leadership. Recognized caucuses may only address
matters related to their specific geo-political zones.
“Parliamentary rules restrict members from addressing the media on official matters to ensure public communications reflect the House’s collective position. Therefore, individual members must refrain from making statements to the media that could be misconstrued as representing the House’s official stance, ensuring only authorised communications are disseminated.
“All members are strictly advised to adhere to the House Rules concerning communication with the media. Representing individual opinions as the official positions of the House is considered a breach of privilege and will be referred to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for appropriate sanctions.”
“We view this as draconian and undemocratic as well as unconstitutional because this is akin to gaging lawmakers from speaking on an institution which they have the mandate of their constituents to b part
“Democracy thrive of freedom of expression and information and these are guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and Acts of parliament so the decision of the Abbas-led House is not only illegal but unenforceable.
“Such restriction is also harmful for accountability which the media and CSOs demands from lawmakers on behalf of the people and in an event where the House Spokespersons and leaders are not reached or willing to talk, the electorate will be shut out.
“The directives are equally ill-timed coming at the period Nigerians are out there protesting against lawmakers without any concrete steps from the House leadership except rhetorics, but its preoccupation is to gag members.”
