LG Poll: Ogun Lawmaker Refutes Claim Of Beating Afon Regency Chairman

Hon. Akingbàde

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA - A member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Jemili Akingbàde has denied allegation of beating the Afon Regency Chairman, the Obaladi of Afon, Chief Adele Sunday Alawoode over councillorship tussle in Afon ward of the local government area.

The lawmaker representing Afon State Constituency at the Ogun State House of Assembly was accused of assaulting Chief Alawoode for his refusal to support the lawmaker's councillorship Candidate in the forthcoming local government elections.  

The Regent reportedly claimed he was assaulted by Hon. Akingbàde for not supporting one Ajeigbe Ishola Umar for the councillorship position over claims that he is of Fulani origin. 

According to the Regent "Hon. Jemili Akingbade assaulted me in my palace just because I said we cannot continue to promote the Fulani cause in our Yoruba community."

While reacting to the claim on telephone interview at the weekend, Hon. Akingbàde denied assaulting the regent physically, but admitted he verbally insulted him.  

The lawmaker maintained that, he never supported any Candidate for the councillorship position, but his stance on party's decision was rebuffed by the regent who in connivance with the local government Caretaker Chairman, Olusola Oke allegedly planned to install a steward of the chairman.

Speaking on his support for a Fulani Aspirant, Hon. Akingbàde noted that, the aspirant, Ajeigbe Ishola Umar is not a Fulani person, but a true son of Afon who had lived and served the community all his life. 

He said there was level playing field for all aspirants in the councillorship race, adding that he would not force anyone on the community.

He explained that, the purported adopted aspirant, was born in Imeko/Afon and had his primary and secondary education in Afon.

He said the aspirant is an APC member before he (Akingbàde) defected from ADC to the ruling party in February this year.

He however, wondered how someone who bear Ajeigbe Ishola could be tagged as a Fulani man because of politics.

"On the issue of councillor, I joined the APC party in February and the candidate he said I'm supporting has been in APC with Dapo Abiodun compliance. He is an APC committee member and I informed the people that I don't want to hear that you bring anybody from anywhere. You should support whoever you see on board. Three candidates contested in my ward. The candidate in question is not Fulani, the candidate is an indigene of Afon.

"You know I just defected to APC. But, immediately I left the ADC to APC they know that I have the control of that ward as a former chairman of Imeko Afon local government, a former Commissioner, a former Senior Adviser to the Governor on Political Matter and this is my second tenure in the State House of Assembly and with that, I'm the leader of the party in the ward.

"So, after hearing of the insult on my personality by the regent, I went to him and told him instead of you staying here abusing me, you know my house, why can't you come to my house and confront me with all allegations against me. Then he started abusing me that I am useless. So, how can you be abusing me that I will be looking? So, I insulted him back because that day he abused me, he was drunk."

Hon. Akingbàde therefore, urged the good people of Afon to discountenance Chief Alawoode's claim, but support the choice of the party in the coming elections.