Many journalists barred from inauguration of incoming lawmakers

The national assembly management has denied many journalists access to cover the inauguration of the 9th assembly.

Out of the over 80 journalists accredited to cover the house of representatives, only 11 were given approval to cover the inauguration.

The situation at the senate is similar as most of the journalists were refused access to the event holding Tuesday.

The list of the accredited journalists, a copy of which was sighted by TheCable, was released on Thursday.

Traditionally, journalists covering the national assembly are accredited to cover the induction of incoming lawmakers during when the principal officers will also be elected.

The eight assembly’s accreditation process was hitch-free, likewise that of the seventh and sixth assemblies.

But as things are, journalists not accredited for the inauguration may be locked out of the complex until the entire proceedings are concluded.

The development comes barely three weeks after the national assembly management issued stringent guidelines for media accreditation.

The guidelines were eventually withdrawn after widespread condemnation from Nigerians.

The press corps at the parliament is currently engaging the national assembly on the decision to shut out journalists from covering the inauguration of the ninth assembly.