Benue Speaker Apologises To Channels TV Over Ejection Order

The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, has apologised to Channels Television for barring of its crew from covering plenary on Thursday, June 25, 2015.

The Speaker in an interview with our correspondent, Pius Angbo, hinged the misunderstanding on impending security concern at the assembly on the said day.

Mr Terkimbe, while speaking shortly after the House adjourned plenary, also apologized to the people of Benue State over the fight as a result of majority claim by both the PDP and APC state lawmakers.

He also read a letter from the governor, nominating Transition Committee Chairmen for the 23 council areas.

To tell that the lawmakers are moving ahead from last week’s fracas, a PDP lawmaker, unlike previous sittings, seconded an APC lawmaker’s motion for adjournment, which the speaker say is part of moving forward.

The Speaker had on Thursday, June 25, ordered Channels Television’s correspondent out of the chamber.

The walk-out order against Channels Television was not unconnected to an earlier report of the Television station, showing a free for all fight the lawmakers resorted to during Tuesday’s plenary over the House leadership.

On arrival at the Assembly chamber, the Channels Television’s correspondent, Pius Angbo, was asked to leave by the Press Secretary and the Sergeant At-Arms, on the strength of the Speaker’s directive to accredit all journalists covering the Assembly.

Effort by the Clerk of the State Assembly to allow Channels Television’s correspondent cover Thursday’s plenary was resisted by the Press Secretary, who insisted that the Speaker did not approve of Channels Television coverage of the Assembly.