…… I didn’t assault any pregnant woman —Odebowale
Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN on Monday appealed to members of the state Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve its planned march against an alleged assault of a pregnant woman, Mrs Adeola Egbebi.
This is even as the governor vowed to unravel the truth, promising to look into the allegation against his Senior Special Assistant on Strategy and Special Duties, Dr. Doyin Odebowale that he assaulted a pregnant worker with the State Waste Management Agency.
Odebowale has since denied the allegation just he fingered those whose “unscrupulous and corrupt activities” are under check as masterminds of the allegation.
But the Sunday Adeleye led workers on a protest march to the Governor’s Office pulled back midway following the physical presence and intervention of the State deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa who stood in for the governor.
Adeleye said the governor had apologised and vowed to address the situation.
Addressing the workers, Aiyedatiwa who cautioned against any such protest in view of the precarious security situation, apologised to the workers while disclosing that the allegation was being investigated.
“Your protest march is very valid and not even the governor is against lawful protests. But we must all be mindful of the present situation which is the precarious security.
“This administration is one even though there are several persons with assigned responsibilities. In the course of our individual duties however, there are also areas we consider difficult terrains where law enforcers like the official in question contend daily with agents that are against change.
“We are not holding brief for anyone because the matter is already being looked into, but we can assure you that the State Government has made it abundantly clear that all officials of the government are civil in the enforcement of our laws. None deserves to be dehumanised.
“While we appreciate your lawful steps and share in your pain as a result of the perceived or alleged assault, you should also be mindful of those loitering around the corner to hijack your genuine protest,” the deputy governor said.
The state Head of Service, Niran Adeyemo; the Governor’s Special Adviser on Labour matters & Special duties, Dare Aragbaiye and the state Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo had earlier arrived the NLC state Secretariat to plead with the protesting workers to embrace dialogue.
Responding on behalf of the workers, State NLC chairman, Sunday Adeleye enjoined the State Government to rein in Odebowale. “He is not above the law; he must be called to order “, he said.
Adeleye said there must be an undertaken that security of the victim would be guaranteed and the government would pay her medical bill at a private hospital.
ODEBOWALE DENIES ASSAULTING PREGNANT WOMAN
Meanwhile, Odebowale at a press conference, denied ever assaulting the pregnant woman.
“It is the figment of the imagination of those scripted it. But they misfires. How on earth could I have committed such an abominable act. It is not true at all.
“I know there are several persons whose unscrupulous and corrupt activities are being put under check. You should know they won’t be happy and will stop at nothing to discredit my person and the government at all costs”, Odebowale alleged.
