A senior journalist working with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was physically assaulted on Saturday by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in Ondo state, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, while monitoring the conduct of the scheduled All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary.
It was gathered that the incident happened at about 11.45am at Eji-Oba High School, Oba-Ile, venue of Ward 9 election in Akure North local government area of the state.
An eye witness account revealed that Yusuf-Ogunleye punched Ikujuni on the left side of his stomach repeatedly, collected his smartphone and threw it away.
The Commissioner also ordered some of his political thugs to seize a Samsung tablet phone belonging to the journalist and damaged its camera.
While narrating his ordeal, Ikujuni said Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye confronted him while he was requesting for details about the exercise in the ward at about 11.45am.
He said he merely inquire if the electoral materials had arrived, since they have started counting at the time, and immediately, Yusuf-Ogunleye shouted, “who are you? And when I told him I’m a journalist, he responded that You’re a useless journalist. Go away from here.”
Ikujuni said it took the quick intervention of some eminent personalities and security agents before he was rescued from the grip of the Commissioner’s thugs.
When contacted, the Commissioner said he saw the journalist and asked him to identify himself.
Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye who denied punching Ikujuni, said he was not aware his supporters assaulted the journalist and damaged his phone.
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction to the ugly development, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council has described the attack on the journalist as barbaric and unacceptable.
The Union, in a statement signed by the Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite, demanded for the indefinite suspension of the Commissioner from office by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Read the press release below.
ONDO NUJ CALLS FOR INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF SPORTS COMMISSIONER, SAKA OGUNLEYE FOR ATTACKING SENIOR JOURNALIST
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council has described the attack and physical assault on the senior journalist with NAN, Mr Tayo Ikujunni by the Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, as barbaric and unacceptable.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye had on Saturday physically assaulted a reporter with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ikujuni, during the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The incident happened at about 11.45 am at Eji-Oba High school, Oba-Ile, the venue of Ward 9 election in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Yusuf-Ogunleye punched Ikujuni’s hand, collected his cell phone and threw it away.
“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 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.
