The Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye on Saturday reportedly assaulted a journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Ikujuni, during the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress.
This was contained in a statement by the chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalist, Ondo State chapter.
According to the statement, the incident happened at about 11.45 am at Eji-Oba High school, Oba-Ile, the venue of Ward 9 election in Akure North Local Government Area of the State.
The commisioner was said to have punched Ikujuni’s hand, collected his cell phone and threw it away.
According to the statement, Yusuf-Ogunleye said, “who are you. You’re a useless journalist. You’re a stupid journalist. Go away from here.”
Following the incident, the NUJ directed journalists in the state to boycott coverage of activities organized by the commisioner and called on governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to immediately suspend Mr Saka Ogunleye and launch investigation into the incident.
The statement reads in part, “Ondo NUJ observes with sadness that Mr Ogunleye’s attitude to media professionals was unbecoming of a public office holder.
“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 roles of monitoring the APC primaries.
“We call on the Commissioner to place 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.”
