Palliative: APC Condemns Assault on Commissioner

•CP orders probe

Fidelis David in Akure

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has berated the alleged assault on the Commissioner for Woman Affairs, Mrs Olubunmi Osadahun, during the distribution of palliatives to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

Osadahun, was at the weekend, attacked at Arigidi-Akoko, in Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state by an APC chieftain  and Chairman of Akoko Northwest Ward 1, Awolumate Olumide  (popularly known as  Cuba).

A video circulating on the social media, showed the incident and it was learnt that the commissioner was injured during the attack and was  rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

However, in an emergency meeting at the State Secretariat in Akure on Monday, presided over by the state Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, the party expressed disappointment at the conducts of the ward chairman.

The party condemned the crude behavior and the level of indiscipline exhibited by its officer, Mr. Olumide Awolumate.

“We are still wondering what could have pushed him into exhibiting that degree of primitive affront on a highly placed party chieftain,  and serving Commissioner,” the party lamented.

He called for the immediate suspension of the chairman by the ward leaders, assuring that further disciplinary actions will follow later.

The APC chairman warned members  of its executive to always embrace civility and self-discipline at all times, saying, “It is expedient to accord respect to party elders and constituted authorities.”

But narrating his ordeal, the APC chieftain, Awolumate said, there was an inequitable distribution of palliatives, which many people complained about while some residents boycotted the exercise.

“I was assaulted in my house by the power-drunk Commissioner for Women Affairs with her son in the presence of a police officer. Today, I was in my house relaxing when the Commissioner came with her son, one other boy, and a police officer.

“The police officer told me they needed my attention at the station in Oke Agbe, and before I could respond, the commissioner pounced on me, tore my clothes, and the Commissioner also joined in beating me.

“The Police officer is still here, and I have resisted arrest, and I don’t know why they had to descend on me to hand me such treatment.”

In the same vein, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police,  Asabi Abiodun, has ordered that thorough investigation be carried out and the case transferred to the SCID, Akure for further probe into what led to the alleged assault.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya read:  “Preliminary investigation reveals that the commissioner who was in the Akoko area to see to the distribution of state palliatives was attacked by the assailant named Awolumate Olumide, while having a meeting with some of their party members in the Area.

“The CP has ordered that a thorough investigation be carried out and the case transferred to the SCID, Akure for further probe into what led to the Assault.”