BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Commissioner for Woman Affairs in Ondo State, Mrs. Olubunmi Osadahun, was at the weekend, attacked in the Arigidi Akoko area of the state while supervising distribution of palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy by the government.
The assault was allegedly perpetuated by members of the All Progressive Congress in the area.
It was gathered that accusations that the distribution process was wrapped in secrecy by government officials fueled the tension.
A circulating video revealed a man audaciously attacking the commissioner with a blue chair, causing significant injuries on her.
Subsequent to the incident, Osadahun was swiftly hospitalised.
One Jumoke Bakare, identified as the commissioner’s daughter, confirmed her mother’s condition, stating she was receiving medical care.
The state’s palliative distribution, overseen by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, targets the distribution of 1,200 bags of rice to 6,000 households in the Akoko South East Local Government Area of the state.
Emphasizing the non-partisan nature of the initiative, the governor assured that the relief was intended for all Ondo State residents, irrespective of their political leanings.
However, the state’s civil society organisations had raised alarm bells over the distribution process, labeling it as shrouded in “secrecy and uncertainty.”
The coalition expressed their disappointment in an official statement. The statement further alluded to a lack of clarity regarding the palliative distribution, even drawing parallels with the opaque handling of the COVID-19 relief distribution.
Meanwhile, the man who attacked the commissioner was said to have alleged that the exercise was shrouded in secrecy by government officials.
According to a witness, “The man, who is a member of the party in Arigidi, in Akoko North West, was present during the ongoing distribution of palliatives in the council.
“We don’t know what had transpired between him and the commissioner, we just saw him when he took one of the chairs and landed it on the head of the commissioner.
“A deep wound was inflicted on the head of the commissioner. Immediately this happened, some young boys loyal to the commissioner, also descended on the attacker and dealt with him.”