Palliative: Attack on Commissioner, an affront on govt

The All Progressives Congress, in Ondo state, said that the ward Chairman of the party in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the state, Mr Olumide Awolumate who allegedly beat up the Commissioner for Woman Affairs, Mrs Juliana Osadahun, during distribution of palliatives, would be suspended.

Chairman of the party in the state, Ade Adetimehin, expressed bitterness over the alleged attack on the Commissioner and stated that the party would sit on the matter.

Adetimehin said, " We don't tolerate indiscipline in our party. The erring chairman would be suspended for involving in such a public embarrassing act. 

" I have directed the party chairman in the local government to bring everybody to Akure today ( Monday) and we will deliberate and appropriate sanction would be meted out where necessary. But the ward chairman would be suspended."

Also,  the Deputy Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Princess Oluwatosin Ajirotutu, condemned the alleged assault on the commissioner.

 Ajirotutu called on the state police command to arrest and prosecute the APC chieftain.

According to her "It is displeasing and barbaric to have viewed a video clip that surfaced and has caused pandemonium in the media space and Arigidi in Akoko Northwest of Ondo State following the directive of Ondo State Government on subsidy palliatives distribution across the state.

"The action of Mr. Awolumate Olumide on Hon. Adebunmi Osadahun is condemned and he should be arrested and made to face maximum disciplinary sanction by the Ondo State Commissioner of Police while the Attorney General of Ondo State should prosecute Mr. Olumide immediately.

"Assault on womenfolk should not be tolerated in any part of Ondo State and in the country.

The lawmaker said that "  Women deserve our caring in every situation because of their sensitive roles in the society."

Also, the state Ondo govt condemns attack on Women Affairs Commissioner

Also, the state government, has condemned in unequivocal terms the assault and bodily injury inflicted on the Commissioner.

 The  Information and Orientation commissioner, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said that " an investigation into the incident has begun, and the full weight of the law will be applied to the assailant, if found guilty.

Ademola-Olateju said an assault on a government official on duty is not only criminal, it is an affront on the government.

She reminded the public, that the  Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law prohibits all forms of violence against persons and provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishments to offenders.

The commissioner said that "the state government will continue to do its best possible to reach the most vulnerable in the distribution of palliatives.