Akeredolu urges calm over alleged assault of pregnant woman

Gov’s aide denies slapping victim
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has urged the state council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other unions to shelve the planned protest against an alleged assault of a pregnant woman.

Akeredolu also vowed to unravel the truth, promising to look into the allegation that his Senior Special Assistant on Strategy and Special Duties, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, assaulted a pregnant woman working with the state waste management agency.

The state NLC Chairman, Mr. Sunday Adeleye, who led workers on a protest march to the Governor’s Office, yesterday, enjoined the government to rein in Odebowale, stressing: “He is not above the law; he must be called to order.”

Aiyedatiwa, who cautioned against any protest in view of the precarious security situation, apologised to the workers, saying that the allegation was being investigated.

“Your protest march is very valid and not even the governor is against lawful protests.

“We are not holding brief for anyone because the matter is already being looked into. We can assure you that the government has made it abundantly clear that all officials of the government are civil in the enforcement of the laws,” he said.

MEANWHILE, Odebowale, has denied assaulting the pregnant woman, saying: “It is the figment of the imagination of those that scripted it. But they misfire. 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.”