Former presidential adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, has accused National Assembly committees of abusing their oversight powers by summoning and probing private companies—actions he warned threaten Nigeria’s democracy and judicial authority.
Speaking at a workshop on “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities” organized by the Senate Press Corps in Abuja, Enang cited landmark court rulings—including DHL International Nigeria Ltd v. Senate and NECA v. Attorney General of the Federation—that limit legislative oversight strictly to government-funded entities.
“It is an abuse of power when committees descend into the arena of the executive or the private sector,” he said, echoing a recent NECA petition alleging harassment through excessive summons.
Enang, a seasoned lawmaker and former presidential liaison officer, cautioned that defying these judicial pronouncements erodes respect for the rule of law.
Turning to the press, he delivered a stern reminder: parliamentary reporting is as vital as national security journalism.
“This is not an ordinary beat,” he warned. “Read the bills, know the Constitution, understand parliamentary procedure—or risk chasing noise instead of substance.”
He criticized reporters for prioritizing plenary squabbles over the substance of legislation, and faulted lawmakers for debating amendments without understanding the principal Acts. Calling journalists the “institutional memory of the legislature,” Enang urged them to bolster democracy through informed coverage, continuous training at NILDS, and even active political participation.
“Do not think what the legislature or executive does is their business alone,” he said. “It is your democracy. If you sit idle, the consequences will reach everyone. Others have done it—Abike Dabiri was once a journalist. You can too.”
Enang’s remarks served as both a sharp rebuke to lawmakers for constitutional overreach and a call to action for journalists to rise above sensationalism, defend democratic norms, and actively shape Nigeria’s political future.
