By: Ade Phillips
The Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the assault on senior journalist Tayo Ikujunni by the Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary.
The incident occurred at Eji-Oba High School, Oba-Ile, during the Ward 9 election in Akure North Local Government Area.
Yusuf-Ogunleye physically attacked Ikujuni, forcefully took his cell phone, and discarded it, an act described as barbaric and intolerable by the NUJ.
“He was alleged to have equally ordered some of his political thugs to seize a Samsung tablet phone belonging to the reporter.
“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 security personnel that rescued the senior journalist from the midst of the thugs working for the Commissioner.
However in a Press Statement, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Leke Adegbite said the action of the Commissioner was uncivilized, and called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to immediately suspend Mr Saka Ogunleye and launch investigation into the incident.
Ondo NUJ observes with sadness that Mr Ogunleye’s attitude to media professionals in the state was unbecoming of a public office holder like him.
“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.
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