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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Ondo State Commissioner for Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, has allegedly attacked a senior journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tayo Ikujunni, during the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State.
Ikujunni, an assistant editor-in-chief with NAN, was in Oba-Ile in Akure North Local Government Area of the state when he was allegedly attacked by Yusuf-Ogunleye.
Narrating his ordeal, Ikujunni claimed that the commissioner allegedly punched his hand, collected his phone and threw it away.
“He equally ordered some of his political thugs to seize a Samsung tablet phone belonging to me,” he said.
It was gathered that trouble started at about 11.45am when the reporter inquired if the electoral materials had arrived, since they have started counting.
“Immediately, Yusuf-Ogunleye shouted, “Who are you? You’re a useless journalist. You’re a stupid journalist. Go away from here.”
“It was the quick intervention of some party chieftains and security personnel that rescued the me from the midst of the commissioner’s violent thugs,” Ikujunni said.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the assault on the journalist.
A statement issued on Saturday by the NUJ chairperson in the state, Leke Adegbite, said the action of the commissioner was uncivilised.
He described the alleged physical assault on the senior journalist as ”barbaric”and “unacceptable.”
The union called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to ensure thorough investigation into the incident.
Adegbite also said Aiyedatiwa should place Yusuf-Ogunleye on indefinite suspension for his action 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 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,” Adegbite said.
Reacting, the commissioner denied assaulting the journalist, adding that he only said he should show his ID card.
“I only requested for his identity card. I didn’t assault him,” Saka-Ogunleye said.