Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, has insisted that legislative business is governed strictly by the chamber’s Standing Orders and not by sentiment, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to the recent drama over the resumption of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
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Speaking at a workshop organised on Wednesday by the Senate Press Corps on “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, challenges and responsibilities” at the National Assembly, Adaramodu stressed, “Remember that we still have under 40 subsection 1 that says that any matter that is in court, that is under this thing, that we shall not entertain it.”
He continued, “Our Standing Orders are constitutional. Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution says each House shall regulate its own procedure. So, if you are supposed to sit on seat number 10 and you go to sit on seat number 13, you will not be recognised by the presiding officer. Those are the rules. But oftentimes, the media and the public interpret such incidents as if the parliament is a banana republic where there are no laws,” he said.
His comments come days after Akpoti-Uduaghan was notified by the National Assembly that she cannot resume duties as a lawmaker despite the expiration of a six-month suspension. The management of the parliament said she remains suspended till a Court of Appeal judgment on the case is delivered to avoid subjudice.
Adaramodu, himself a former journalist of 22 years, urged correspondents to bridge such gaps in public understanding by explaining the constitutional basis of parliamentary conduct. “Reporters covering parliament must know the Standing Orders as well as legislators do. Sometimes, even more,” he charged.
The spokesman cautioned that misreporting legislative processes, particularly motions and bills, can mislead the public and put lawmakers in conflict with their constituents. He cited his own experience where media reports falsely suggested that a higher institution had been established in his constituency, leading to accusations that he diverted it elsewhere.
“Parliamentary reporting is not just another beat. It is the most important beat in journalism. When you misreport, it diminishes both the parliament and the press,” he said.
Adaramodu also warned against sensationalism and partisan pressures, stressing that Section 22 of the Constitution places a duty on the media to report fairly and responsibly. “You are not just content creators. You are constitutionally empowered to hold government accountable. That role is sacred,” he told the gathering.
He assured that under the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the National Assembly would sustain quarterly retreats with parliamentary correspondents to deepen their understanding of legislative processes.
“Democracy thrives only when parliament and the press operate in responsible synergy,” Adaramodu stressed.
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