Tunji Akinosi, the House of Representatives member representing Ado-Odo Ota Federal Constituency, has addressed allegations surrounding an incident at the 2023 Iganmode Day.
A viral video purportedly showing Akinosi assaulting a police officer has prompted a response from the lawmaker.
In his statement released on Tuesday, Akinosi refuted the assault claims, asserting that the viral video provided an incomplete representation of the actual events at the ceremony. He explained that his actions, which included pushing the police officer, were prompted by the officer’s alleged disrespect toward the state’s Deputy Governor and threats made against Akinosi himself.
Akinosi emphasized that the viral video’s portrayal of the incident is not only inaccurate but deemed it a ploy by his political adversaries to tarnish his reputation. The clarification aims to set the record straight, highlighting the context behind the actions captured in the video.
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 fulfill his campaign promises to thousands of his constituents and he shall not be distracted.”
This development adds a layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding the incident, as Akinosi attempts to provide his perspective on the events that transpired during the Iganmode Day celebration.