Politics

Ondo APC primaries: Commissioner assaults journalist in Akure

The Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, has allegedly assaulted the Assistant Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tayo Ikujuni, during the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in the state.

The fracas occurred at Ward 9, Eji-Oba High School, Oba-Ile in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Yusuf-Ogunleye, who confirmed to have harassed Ikujuni and collected his cell phone and threw it away, said: “The journalist failed to produce his identity card when asked.”

Recalling the ordeal, Ikujuni said the commissioner ordered some of his political thugs to seize his Samsung tablet.

He said: “Trouble started at about 11.45 a.m. when I inquired if the electoral materials had arrived since they had started counting.

“Immediately, Yusuf-Ogunleye shouted, ‘who are you? You’re a useless journalist. You’re a stupid journalist. Go away from here’.

Ondo APC primaries: Police arrest 2 for printing fake membership cards

“He had to collect my Tecno phone and damage my Samsung tablet and my wristwatch.

“It was the quick intervention of some party chieftains and security personnel that rescued me from the midst of the commissioner’s violently looking thugs.”

Reacting, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State chapter, decried the attack and physical assault on Ikujuni by the commissioner.

The Ondo NUJ Chairman, Leke Adegbite, described the act as barbaric and unacceptable.

Adegbite, in a statement, said the action of the commissioner was uncivilized and called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to immediately suspend Yusuf-Ogunleye and launch an investigation into the incident.

He noted: “Ondo NUJ observes with sadness that Mr Yusuf-Ogunleye’s attitude to media professionals was unbecoming of a public office holder.

“We call on Mr Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to place Mr Saka Ogunleye on indefinite suspension for his physical assault on a senior journalist like Tayo Ikujuni while performing his constitutional roles of monitoring the APC primary.

“We call on the commissioner to replace damaged handset of the journalist and tender unreserved apology to the victim and the media industry.

“We equally direct media houses and professionals to halt the coverage and activities of the commissioner until our demands are met.”

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

NSIB recovers black box of crashed helicopter in Rivers

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit…

13 mins ago

N10m extortion: IGP vows punishment for corrupt police officers

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned alleged extortions by some police officers…

5 hours ago

Kaduna govt earmarks N93bn to boost water supply

The Kaduna State Government has announced plans to spend N93 billion over four years for…

9 hours ago

Trump picks campaign manager as White House chief of staff

United States President-elect Donald Trump, on Thursday, November 7, 2024, announced that one of his…

9 hours ago

EPL fixtures: Chelsea host Arsenal as Liverpool face Aston Villa

Chelsea will aim to deepen Arsenal's misery in their Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge…

9 hours ago

NAICOM gives insurers December 31 deadline to clear outstanding claims

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has given insurance companies a December 31, 2024, deadline to…

12 hours ago

This website uses cookies.