The House of Representatives member representing Ado-Odo Ota Federal Constituency, Tunji Akinosi, responded to allegations of assaulting a policeman during the 2023 Iganmode Day event held recently.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Akinosi clarified that the viral video circulating online did not accurately depict the sequence of events at the gathering, stressing that it was incomplete and misrepresented the actual incident.
Akinosi admitted pushing the officer but attributed it to the policeman’s disrespect towards the state’s Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele. He described the viral video as a “cheap attempt” by political opponents to tarnish his image.
The statement clarified that the policeman, identified as M. Yusuf, belonged to Senator Solomon Adeola, better known as Yayi, security team and not the Deputy Governor’s. Akinosi claimed Yusuf exhibited “a high sense of irresponsibility” and disrespected the Deputy Governor by questioning his identity.
He further alleged that Yusuf assaulted the Deputy Governor’s aide and others before Akinosi intervened. According to Akinosi, his intention was to reconcile the situation, but the officer’s “rudeness and derogatory statement” provoked him to push Yusuf.
Akinosi labelled the assault claims as fabricated, intended to damage his reputation before the next election cycle in Ogun State. He dismissed the viral video as unverified news spread by unknown platforms and individuals aiming to defame him.
He concluded by asserting his commitment to fulfilling his promises to constituents and remaining undeterred by such accusations.
The statement read, “The disrespectful policeman was attached to Senator Yayi and not the Deputy Governor.
“Setting the record straight, Akinosi only pushed the so-called overzealous officer, one M. Yusuf who was rude and displayed a high sense of irresponsibility at the event.
“Officer M. Yusuf, who allegedly doubles as the commander of Senator Solomon Adeola aka Yayi’s security team actually disrespected the Deputy Governor when he disrespectfully asked who was the Deputy Governor.
“The officer’s disrespectful conduct angered the youths at the event. The unruly officer had earlier assaulted the Deputy Governor’s aide, Kola Salako, and others in the Deputy Governor’s train all in the name of doing his job.
“Akinosi’s interaction with the officer was meant to be a reconciliatory effort but the officer’s rudeness and derogatory statement and threat to deal with him when he was trying to call the policeman to order. That was exactly what transpired.
“The alleged assault is just another attempt to change the narrative and bring Akinosi to disrepute ahead of the next political game in Ogun State that’s already playing out behind the scenes.
“It’s becoming pretty alarming how all manners of unknown platforms and people claiming to be journalists put out unverified news items just to drag people’s reputations in the mud.
“Akinosi is a responsible member of the House of Representatives who is working hard to fulfil his campaign promises to thousands of his constituents and he shall not be distracted.”
