Governor Akeredolu and the Police Commissioner of Ondo State have responded to the viral video of the Ondo Deputy Governor being detained .
Naija News NG reports that the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alfred Agboola Ajayi was detained for more than four hours at the Government House gate by commissioner of police and his men allegedly acting under the instruction of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN on 20th June, 2020.
Watch the video :
Video : Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alfred Agboola Ajayi detained for more than four hours at the Government House gate by commissioner of police and his men acting under the instruction of the Governor,Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN on 20th June, 2020. pic.twitter.com/UWgsQCN7vt
— Olóyè T.D Esq⚖️‼️ (@BolanleCole) June 21, 2020
Reacting to the video and accusations of abuse of the Deputy Governor’s rights by Governor Akeredolu who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the Governor through his spokesman , Segun Ajiboye , described claims of Akeredolu having a hand in the incident as “absolute falsehood”.
The statement read:
“It should, however, be placed on records that it is a time-tested code in government’s business for officials to take inventory of offices and quarters before and after an official is moving in or out of offices or quarter.
“Accordingly, the Commissioner of Police intervention which was at the instance of an almost manipulated security apparatus at the Government House was most desirable to restore law and order.
“It becomes particularly worrisome and suspicious when aides of the Deputy Governor insisted on leaving the premises with items wrapped in unclear ownership as late as 11pm.
“Governor Akeredolu reiterates his commitment to the rights of all, including the Deputy Governor governor. But he has a duty to be firm and dispassionate in exercising the roles assigned to him.”
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami, has also responded to the viral video through his spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro . Read the statement below :
“It is only necessary that his presence at the scene as the Command’s Commissioner of Police could calm frayed nerves.
“Having listened to the reason for the misunderstanding, he advised both sides to come to terms, a condition they both agreed.
“CP Salami has never been a politician all through his life and would not want to be dragged into politics.
“He advised the good people of Ondo that as the race to Ondo government house draws very close, politicians with interest in the race should learn to play their game with the dictate of its laws; and also advise their followers to shun any act capable of causing chaos or lawlessness in the State as he concluded.
“He vowed to police Ondo State and its people with humility. He will not allow the ego and sentiment of any individual dictate what form of policing style he should use”.