TheCable

Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, Ondo state commissioner for sports, allegedly attacked Tayo Ikujuni, a journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), during the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo.

Ikujuni, an assistant editor-in-chief with NAN, was in Oba-Ile, Akure north LGA of the state when the incident took place on Saturday.

Narrating his ordeal, Ikujuni said the commissioner allegedly hit his hand, collected his phone and threw it away.

The Ondo chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the “assault” on the journalist.

The NUJ described the incident as ”barbaric” and “unacceptable.”

Leke Adegbite, the NUJ chairperson, said the action of the commissioner was uncivilised.

The union called on Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, to ensure a thorough investigation of the incident.

The union said Aiyedatiwa should place Ogunleye on indefinite suspension.

“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 role of monitoring the APC primaries.

“We call on the commissioner to replace the 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 the incident, the commissioner denied assaulting the journalist, saying “I only requested for his identity card. I didn’t assault him”.