Ondo commissioner assaults NAN reporter during APC primary

“It was the quick intervention of some party chieftains and security personnel that rescued the reporter from the midst of the Commissioner’s violent thugs.”

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However, the Ondo chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned assault on the journalist.

The NUJ described the physical assault on the senior journalist as ”barbaric”and “unacceptable.”

Speaking in a statement on Saturday, Leke Adegbite, NUJ chairperson, said the action of the commissioner was uncivilized.

The union called on Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo to ensure thorough investigation of the incident.

The union also said Aiyedatiwa should place Ogunleye on indefinite suspension for his actions on the journalist.

“Ondo NUJ observes with sadness that Mr 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 Ikujunni while performing his constitutional roles of monitoring the APC primaries.

“We call on the Commissioner to place 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”.

Reacting to this incident, the commissioner of sport denied assaulting the journalist, saying “I only requested for his identity card, I didn’t assault him.”

Ondo commissioner assaults NAN reporter during APC primary