The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Ondo State, Dr. Olubunmi Osadahun, recently found herself in a distressing situation as she was attacked during a palliative distribution event in Arigidi Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state.
The attack has sparked outrage and concerns within the state.
The incident occurred during the distribution of foodstuffs intended to serve as palliatives, aimed at alleviating the financial burden placed on the vulnerable due to the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. Dr. Osadahun reportedly sustained injuries to her head when she was struck with a chair during the event.
VIDEO: APC Chairman beats Ondo Commissioner over subsidy palliatives pic.twitter.com/hrhGPjycaq
— AIT (@AIT_Online) September 17, 2023
Reports indicate that the Commissioner’s actions were met with opposition from some members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the local government. Allegations arose that the exercise was shrouded in secrecy by government officials, leading to tensions and frustrations among party members.
Although the police have yet to officially identify the culprits behind the attack, there are claims that the APC chairman in Akoko North West Ward 1, Olumide Awolumate, also known as “Cuba,” may have played a role in the incident.
In a video footage lasting 15 seconds, Awolumate Olumide, the Akoko Northwest Ward 1 Chairman of the APC, can be seen using a chair to attack the Commissioner, resulting in injuries to her head. Sources suggest that the altercation began when some APC leaders from Arigidi Akoko alleged that the distribution of palliatives lacked transparency. Awolumate expressed discontent with the arrangement, accusing the Commissioner of marginalizing him.
In a conflicting account, Awolumate appeared in another video, explaining his perspective on the incident. He claimed that he was assaulted in his own house by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, along with her son and a police officer.
According to him, the police officer informed him of the need to go to the police station in Oke Agbe, but before he could respond, the Commissioner’s son and the police officer allegedly attacked him, tearing his clothes in the process.
He said, “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.
Efforts to obtain a response from Commissioner Osadahun proved unsuccessful at the time of reporting, as her phone was not reachable. Nevertheless, it has been confirmed that she reported the incident to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area.
The incident has occurred against a backdrop of concerns raised by a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Ondo regarding the distribution of palliatives in the state.
The coalition has alleged that the distribution process employed by the state government is “shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty,” further intensifying scrutiny and questions surrounding the incident.
