Lawmaker’s Thugs Attack Chairman of Oyo House of Assembly Correspondents Association

Some political thugs that are allegedly loyal to the lawmaker representing Ibadan North State Constituency 11 in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebayo Babajide Gabriel, on Saturday attacked a journalist along Sango-Poly Road, Ibadan.

The victim, Mr. Oladapo Ibikunle, who is the Chairman of the Oyo State House of Assembly Correspondents Association, revealed that the thugs tried to overtake him as he was coming from University of Ibadan and driving towards Ibadan Polytechnic Road.

Narrating the ugly incident to his colleagues in a press statement, Mr. Ibikunle said that he tried to give way for the lawmaker’s convoy, but that the road was too narrow, adding that some motorcyclists, who blocked his way, prevented him from moving.

Ibikunle said that he then resorted to applying the brake and brought his car to a halt, but that the thugs jumped out of their vehicles, banged his car and threatened to kill him.

He added that the lawmaker witnessed the alleged unruly behaviour of his boys, but failed to caution them, but rather shouted at him, when he tried to defend himself.

The journalist stated that it was the traffic wardens at the junction that eventually came to his rescue and cleared the road for him to proceed on his journey.

Meanwhile, the matter has been reported at Sango Police station in Ibadan.

“I wouldn’t have taken the matter seriously, but for the threat to my life and coupled with the fact that Hon. Adebayo Babajide Gabriel witnessed the drama.

“And since we are in electioneering period, I can’t take the threat lightly. I’m a journalist, I have to cover campaigns and there is no way I won’t come across the lawmaker and his boys. They threatened to kill me, so I have to notify the appropriate authorities.

“I called the state PPRO, ASP Adewale Osifeso, who directed me to report at Sango Police Station. I also called the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, who didn’t pick his calls. I them dropped a message for him but he hasn’t called back till now.

“I also called the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Honourable Kazeem Olayanju and his Deputy, Honourable Adeola Bamidele. They both promised to look into the matter,” he said.

It was gathered that the leaders of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have also been informed of the incident.

Meanwhile, journalists in the state have condemned the attack on their colleague, and urged the Oyo NUJ, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and other concerned authorities to take appropriate action on the matter.

– Kunle Bakare.