As stakeholders in the media industry protest against the stringent conditions for covering activities of the National Assembly, the management has withdrawn the controversial accreditation guidelines.
Although no official statement has been released to that effect, it was learnt that the National Assembly Clerk has directed the Information Director, Agada Rawlings Emmanuel, who signed the document containing the guidelines to immediately withdraw it.
The Guardian learnt that a team of National Assembly officials, comprising Emmanuel and other senior staff, has been raised to work out more acceptable guidelines for the accreditation.The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has ordered an immediate investigation into the drafting and release of the draconian guidelines.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by his aide in charge of social media, Olu Onemola, yesterday. Saraki said the requirements, which were drafted and made public without the knowledge of the political leadership of the National Assembly, negated his belief and commitment to allowing unhindered operation of the media. Read more