…as Women Groups Insist on justice
The government of Ondo State has said that it would prosecute the Ward Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who reportedly physically assaulted and injured the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. (Mrs) Olubunmi Osadahun in the cause of palliative distribution on Sunday in Arigidi Akoko area of the state.
Addressing a group of women under the umbrella of Womanifesto on Wednesday in Akure, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief (Mrs.) Bamidele Olateju, gave assurances that the case would not be swept under the carpet and that the alleged perpetrator would be charged to court as soon as possible.
It would be recalled that the Commissioner for Women Affairs was seen being assaulted with a plastic chair and thereafter seen with injuries to her head and face in a short video that went viral on the social media.
The Commissioner further ssured that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, would see to it that justice is served in the case because the state would not condone violence in any form.
She said the the matter is being investigated while a formal statement condemning the act had been issued.
However, she said that the government cannot yet act until the alleged, Mr Olumide Awolumate is pronounced guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Information Commissioner said, “It is our duty as women to mount pressure and insist that the perpetrator is brought to the court of justice and tried for the alleged crime.”
She urged the women groups to hold any position they find themselves in trust on behalf of other women even as she promised to defend the interests of women and the girl child wherever she finds herself.
She charged women to also pay attention to raising their male children in order for them to know that the hands are not for hitting, so that they do not see it fit to hit women when they grow up because it is inappropriate to hit women under any guise.
She however assured them that women interest would always be advocated for and protected under the Akeredolu-led administration.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. (Mrs) Olubunmi Osudahun appreciated the women for their love but would not want anybody to put their life at stake since she is still alive to address the matter at the law court.
She explained that the story told by the perpetrator of going with her son to fight him was patently false, adding that she was on an official monitoring exercise when she was confronted by the man threatening to deal ruthlessly with her.
According to Osadahun, the Ward Chairman had severally insulted her at party meetings and would thereafter expressed satisfaction that he had succeeded in his aim of humiliating the Commissioner after.
In her words, “All allegations against me are false. We have completed distribution of palliatives without any problem, but I guess he was sent to attack me. My son was called to the scene of the incident, not that I went with my son. However, we have taken the matter to the court of law.
“I never misrepresented the women, I have ruled as a Regent for five years and was never found wanting. I would want all Nigerians to ask him what I have done to offend him and deserve such a treatment.”
Speaking, the Convener of the rally and Coordinator of Womanifesto, a group with over 600 NGO’s and CSOs, Mrs Olabisi Omolona, said the women organised the peaceful protest because they want justice to prevail.
Omolona reeled out several efforts of the wife of the Governor, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, including the domestication of the VAPP law and the creation of the OSAGBV promising that the vision of the laws would not be in vain.
In her words, “We do not want the effort of Her Excellency to be in vain, and we don’t want to be asked questions during our advocacy on violence against women at the communities. We want justice to prevail. We are fighting for the seat of the Commissioner which is our reference point and if that seat is molested it means there is no place to refer cases to.”
Omolona, who appreciated the Information Commissioner for addressing the women, later presented to the Commissioner a Petition Letter from the founder of Womanifesto, Dr. (Mrs) Abiola Akinyode for urgent attention.
The State Chairperson of Federation of Female Lawyers, FIDA, Barr. Catherine Ogunjebi, lamented that it is unacceptable that while the group is clamouring for more women in governance, the few who came out are being molested and intimidated.
“We demand that the perpetrator be arrested, duly prosecuted and removed from whatever leadership position he is occupying, not just handed a suspension.”
The State Chairperson of StandUp for Women Society (SWS), Alhaja Rafah Momoh, who was represented by the State Secretary, Hajia Fatima Muraina, described the situation as unfortunate one and an indication that women are not safe in the state.
She said, “This protest is necessary to save Ondo state women. We should always rise to fight for our rights as women who should be treated with respect and dignity.”
Hajia Muraina charged women to always rise to the clarion call of fighting for and defending women rights and dignity whenever the need arises.
The many groups of protesting Womanifesto is made up of women from: FIDA, Iyaloja, Iyalode, 100 Women Lobby, Women Led, StandUp for Women Society, Wow8can, FOMWAN, Partners for Peace, Iyaloja Network Initiative, She Leads Network, NCWS, Community Response Team, and The Ressilaice Divine Widows, among several others.
