Governor Ademola Adeleke has tendered an apology to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Ogun State Council over harassment of its union secretary and member by security operatives.
The Nation reports that the Ogun council of NUJ demanded an apology from the Osun governor over the harassment of Bunmi Adigun and the union secretary by his operative at the 66th birthday celebration of Abepa of Joga-Orile and the conferment of chieftaincy title on Adeleke.
Meanwhile, a statement by Adeleke through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed tendered an unreserved apology to the Ogun chapter of NUJ over the unruly conduct of security operatives at the event.
According to him, “I apologize to the Ogun State Secretary of the NUJ and any other journalists who may have been affected by the incident. However, we want to put it on record that several dignitaries attended the event with several security personnel from 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’s team, especially the security apparatus, operates strict guidelines to ensure full respect not just for journalists on their legitimate assignments but also for members of the public in the discharge of their duties. We apologize to the Ogun State Council Secretary and assure the NUJ locally and nationally that such incident will not reoccur.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress(APC) through its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal berated Adeleke over the harassment as he tasked the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter.
He said, “The brutish action of the Adeleke security operatives was in the fulfillment of an adage that says one’s character is like a smoke which cannot be hidden. The attack on the journalists by the Adeleke security operatives was sadistic and wicked which should be condemned by all the right-thinking members of the society. 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.”
