Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The House of Representatives member representing Ado-Odo Ota Federal Constituency of Ogun State in the National Assembly, Hon Tunji Akinosi, has faulted claims that he assaulted a policeman at the 2023 Iganmode Day celebration, held last Saturday, in Ota.
The cultural event had Governor Dapo Abiodun; his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), and Akinosi, among other personalities in attendance.
However, a video clip which has gone viral showed the federal lawmaker having an altercation with a police officer at the event.
Reacting to the viral video, Akinosi stated that the video was abridged, adding that the viral video did not present what truly transpired at the event.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday by his media aide, Joel Okeodebija, the lawmaker said he pushed the police officer for disrespecting the deputy governor and threatening to deal with him (Akinosi).
According to him, the account of the event as shown in the viral video was not only untrue, but a cheap attempt by his political opponents to drag his reputation in the mud.
“Fake news merchants are at work again. Sadly, this time, their victim is Honourable Tunji Akinosi, a Federal Lawmaker from Ogun State who has been in the spotlight over an alleged assault involving a Policeman during the just concluded Iganmode Day celebration held over the weekend in the Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
“According to the fake news circulating and gaining traction on social media, the Lawmaker was alleged to have ‘punched’ a Policeman attached to the Deputy Governor of Ogun State while trying to clear the pathway for her during the event.
“This account of the event is not only untrue but a cheap attempt by Honorable Akinosi’s political opponents to drag his reputation in the mud. The disrespectful policeman was attached to Senator Yayi and not the deputy governor.
“Setting the record straight, Akinosi only pushed the so-called overzealous officer, one M. Yusuf, who was rude and displayed a high sense of irresponsibility at the event.
“Officer M. Yusuf, who allegedly doubles as the commander of Senator Solomon Adeola, aka Yayi’s security team, actually disrespected the Deputy Governor when he disrespectfully asked who was the Deputy Governor.
“The officer’s disrespectful conduct angered the youths at the event. The unruly officer had earlier assaulted the Deputy Governor’s aide, Kola Salako, and others in the Deputy Governor’s train all in the name of doing his job.
“Akinosi’s interaction with the officer was meant to be a reconciliatory effort but the officer’s rudeness and derogatory statement and threat to deal with him when he was trying to call the policeman to order. That was exactly what transpired.
“The alleged assault is just another attempt to change the narrative and bring Akinosi to disrepute ahead of the next political game in Ogun State that’s already playing out behind the scenes.
“It’s becoming pretty alarming how all manners of unknown platforms and people claiming to be journalists put out unverified news items just to drag people’s reputations in the mud.
“Akinosi is a responsible member of the House of Representatives who is working hard to fulfill his campaign promises to thousands of his constituents and he shall not be distracted,” the statement read.
