Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has stirred controversy with his remarks about Brekete Family Radio, accusing the private human rights station of overstepping its bounds by involving itself in matters related to the National Assembly. In a pointed criticism, Akpabio dismissed the station as having no legal standing to be recognized as a legitimate human rights outlet.
While addressing the persistent reluctance of clerks and staff to vacate their offices after their constitutional tenures have ended, Senator Akpabio took a swipe at Brekete Family Radio, which has become a platform for individuals to air grievances about the National Assembly’s internal issues. “Some people have even taken the issue of the National Assembly to Brekete Radio, a self acclaimed human rights broadcasting station not authorized by the government,” Akpabio stated, further adding that the station lacks the legal foundation to present itself as a credible human rights media outlet, unlike the government
The Senate President’s remarks are seen as an effort to undermine Brekete Family Radio’s influence, with Akpabio questioning its legitimacy in highlighting issues within the National Assembly. His criticism came as he addressed ongoing problems with National Assembly staff who have overstayed their tenures, in violation of constitutional provisions that mandate a 35-year service limit or retirement at age 60.
Akpabio emphasized that the National Assembly’s commission had failed to enforce these rules, resulting in some staff members holding onto their positions for months, or even years, after their tenure expired. “We have noticed serious reluctance on the part of clerks and staff of the National Assembly to vacate office when their constitutional tenure has ended,” Akpabio said. He described the situation as one that has sparked unnecessary political tension and described incidents where staff had extended their tenures by as much as five years.
In what seemed like an attempt to downplay the impact of Brekete Family Radio’s involvement, Akpabio stressed that some staff members had used the station to voice their grievances, despite the fact that the station lacks “proper legal standing.” His comments appeared to marginalize the role of independent media in exposing the systemic issues within the National Assembly, and in doing so, he sought to diminish the influence of outlets like Brekete Family Radio that have been critical of government institutions.
Akpabio also revealed troubling accounts of staff members who, after being issued termination letters, refused to vacate their positions, sometimes bullying those appointed to replace them. “Indiscipline has crept into the system, and when that happens, the system cannot function well,” he said, adding that such behavior severely undermines the integrity of the National Assembly.
Akpabio’s statements have sparked a wave of reactions, particularly regarding his attempt to delegitimize Brekete Family Radio’s role in holding the government accountable.
As the controversy grows, many are left questioning whether Akpabio’s remarks will lead to any substantive reforms within the National Assembly or whether they will instead mark the beginning of a larger confrontation between government officials and independent media organizations in Nigeria.
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Brekete Family, Akpabio
