TheCable

Lawan had complained that two newspapers allegedly reported that angry youth prevented him from gaining access to his constituency.

Denying that such happened, the lawmaker demanded an apology and a retraction from the newspapers.

The matter was referred to the committee on ethics and privileges.

Presenting the report to the senate for consideration on Wednesday, Sam Anyanwu, chairman of the ethics committee, said it was recommended that the newspapers publish a retraction and be blacklisted from covering the activities of the upper legislative chamber.

But Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, told his colleagues that instead of blacklisting the newspapers, they should tender “unreserved apologies”.

“I would want for us to please consider mitigating this proposed punishment of blacklisting but they should tender unreserved apologies,” Abaribe said.

Barau Jibrin, senator representing Kano north, supported Abaribe’s position.

When the two recommendations were put to a voice vote by Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, the legislators voted “aye” for the newspapers to tender an apology to Lawan, and “nay” for them to be blacklisted.