Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs Senator Tayo Alasoadura has been accused of masterminding assault on Ondo State Commissioner for Works Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye.
Mr Yusuf-Ogunleye was beaten up during a town hall meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Iju town, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The meeting was reportedly called for the purpose of membership registration and validation of the party.
PUNCH quoted a source as saying: “The meeting had not even started when some thugs invaded the venue. They started raining abuses and curses on the Commissioner. They beat him and nearly killed him.”
Some members of the party accused Alasoadura of orchestrating the attack following a disagreement between him and the commissioner.
“Those who attacked the Commissioner are known boys of Chief Alasoadura. We thought Alasoadura has grown beyond that, considering his age and where God has put him,” the source further said.
However, Alasoadura’s spokesman Dayo Joe denied the allegations, but claimed the meeting was factional.
“I just believe those who did it (attack) saw it as a factional meeting. It was not an APC meeting. They only camouflaged under the umbrella of APC. This is because some other leaders whom they believe are not loyal to them were not invited to that meeting,” he said.
“So, it was a factional meeting and, as a result, some people were not happy. That was what happened. Alasoadura was not even aware. He was not even around. So, he wouldn’t have been the mastermind of the attack.”
