Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has apologised to the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Ogun State council over harassment of its union secretary and member by security operatives.
The Nation reports the Ogun council of NUJ demanded an apology from Adeleke over harassment of Bunmi Adigun and the union secretary by his operatives at the 66th birthday celebration of Abepa of Joga-Orile during which a chieftaincy title was conferred on Adeleke.
A statement by Adeleke through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, tendered unreserved apology to Ogun chapter of NUJ over unruly conduct of security operatives at the event.
“I apologise 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. we apologize to the Ogun State Council Secretary and assure the NUJ locally and nationally that such incident will not reoccur again”, he said.
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 Adeleke’s security operatives was in fulfilment 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.”
