“Trouble started at
about 11.45 when the reporter inquire 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 reporter from the midst of the
commissioner’s violent thugs.”
However, the Ondo chapter of the Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the “assault” on the journalist.
The NUJ described the alleged physical assault on the senior
journalist as ”barbaric”and “unacceptable.”
In a statement on Saturday, Leke Adegbite, NUJ chairperson,
said the action of the commissioner was uncivilised.
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 action on the journalist.
“Ondo NUJ observes
with sadness that Mr Ogunleye’s attitude to media professionals was unbecoming
of a public office holder,” Adegbite said.
“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”.
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.”
