The House of Representatives member representing Ado-Odo Ota Federal Constituency, Tunji Akinosi, has faulted claims that he assaulted a policeman at the 2023 Iganmode Day held on Saturday.
Reacting to a viral video circulating online, Akinosi stated that the said video was abridged, adding that the viral video did not present what truly transpired at the event.
Akinosi, in a statement on Tuesday, said he pushed the police officer for disrespecting the state’s Deputy Governor and threatening to deal with him (Akinosi).
According to him, the account of the event as shown in the viral video clip is not only untrue but a cheap attempt by his political opponents to drag his reputation in the mud.
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.”