The Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Juliana Osadahun, was attacked in Arigidi Akoko area of the state, during the distribution of palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy by government.
Report had it that the commissioner, was attacked by some members of the All Progressive Congress, in the council area following the allegation that the exercise was shrouded in secrecy by government officials.
In a video that has gone viral, the two APC chieftains are seen fighting while Mr Olumide Awolumate, who is said to be the Ward Chairman of the party, appeared to hit the commissioner with a plastic chair, causing her head injury.
The commissioner who is the chairman of the committee for the palliative distribution in Akoko North-West Local Government, according to an eyewitness account, had an altercation with Awolumate on how rice would be shared.
The eyewitness said, “There was a hot argument over how the rice would be shared. This led to a physical attack which led to inflicting injuries.”
The eyewitness added that the matter had generated political tension in Arigidi Akoko and its environs. The commissioner was said to have reported the matter at the police station while the party ward chairman had been arrested and transferred to the Akure headquarters of the state Police Command.
When contacted over the matter, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, promised to get back but had not done so till the time of filing this report.
The Director of Publicity of the APC, Mr. Steve Olatoro, confirmed watching the video but said the matter had not been officially reported at the party secretariat in Akure.
“I watched the incident on the video but we can’t do anything about it for now because they have not reported to the secretariat officially.
“But if that is the case, it is very unfortunate. We will investigate the matter as soon as it is officially reported to the party, ” Otaloro stated.
All efforts to reach the commissioner on the telephone were unsuccessful as her mobile line was ringing and not picked up while a text message sent to her was not replied.
Video Credit: AIT