By Femi Ogunshola
The House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja condemned what it described as misleading, a report on correctional centres published by an online medium on Feb. 16.
The online news platform had headlined its report as: “Gbajabiamila to Probe Aregbesola’’.
Thursday’s condemnation followed a personal explanation raised by Rep. Luke Onofiok (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) on the misrepresentation of a motion sponsored by the Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu (PDP-Delta).
The motion had called for the investigation of utilisation of the N165 billion appropriated for the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) over the past two years
The House noted that it would proffer stringent measures to stem the tide of fake reports which sought to hinder the growth and unity of the country.
Rep. Alhassan Dogowa, the House Leader in his submission, decried the spate of misinformation rocking the public space, adding that a robust approach was required to stem the trend.
He observed that the misleading report was targeted at the National Assembly, adding that it must be condemned in its entirety.
Dogowa said there was the need for the National Assembly to collectively condemn the baseless allegation contained in the report.
He stressed that the media could not be misrepresenting the Legislature through yellow and hate journalism.
Misrepresentation of facts could lead to disasters and crises, he noted.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, while acknowledging the lawmakers’ position, appealed to members to ignore reports aimed at disrupting the nation’s peace and unity.
“These are things we should ignore. There will be many publications full of lies, innuendos as we approach the 2023 general elections.
“Let them continue to practice their journalism as they know. I believe Nigerians are able to separate the truth from fake news,’’ Gbajabiamila said.
He noted that the report had a potential of distracting the House and also wasting its time.
“We just wasted 15 minutes discussing this,’’ Gbajabiamila observed. (NAN)
