Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has tendered unreserved apologies to the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) for the reported unruly conduct of some security men at the Joga-Orile chieftaincy event.
This is coming as the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress condemned thr governor over the treatment of the journalist.
It was gathered a journalist with Ogun State Television and Secretary of the Ogun NUJ, Comrade Bunmi Adigun was attacked by some security operatives attached to Governor Adeleke during a cultural programme in Ogun State on Friday.
Adigun in a viral video said he tried to get the video of those that harassed him but unsuccessful as the officers were on face cover and put on different uniforms with no name tags.
Reacting to the incident, Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal condemned the attack on Adigun, calling on the Inspector General of Police to fish out the perpetrators.
According to the Osun State chairman of the APC, “it is incumbent on the Inspector-General of Police(IGP) to investigate the needless and brutal attack on the innocent journalist and the cameramen who were rough handled and attacked thereby subjecting the image of the police into disrepute.
“The IGP should also find out if the indecorum Adeleke security aides who threw caution to the wind by assaulting the journalist and cameramen are either fake or authentic police because of their uniform which is different from the one accustomed to by the citizenry.”
Apologizing to the NUJ, Adeleke in a statement by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed said an internal investigation has been conducted.
Rasheed said, “On behalf of the State Governor, I apologize to the Ogun State Secretary of the NUJ and any other journalist who may have been affected by the incident.
“However, we want to put it on records that several dignitaries attended the event with several security personnel of various sections and departments. The officials shown in the video do not belong to the convoy of the Osun state Governor
While an internal investigation has been conducted, Governor Adeleke’ team, especially the security apparatus, operates strict guidelines to ensure full respect not just for journalists on their legitimate assignments but also to members of the public in the discharge of their duties.”
He said Governor Adeleke is a media friendly leader, highlighting some past engagement with the NUJ.
