State Government of Osun has described as barbaric, reprehensible the attack on its Commissioner for Regional Integration, Hon. Bola Ilori by sponsored political thugs at Restructuring programme in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Thursday.
Ilori was part of the delegation that presented the position of Osun at the All Progressives Congress (APC) public forum on true Federalism and Restructuring in its mission to get the views of the people of Ekiti, Ondo and Osun.
Gov Aregbesola in a press release signed by his media adviser, Mr. Sola Fasure described the attack as barbaric, reprehensible and an assault on the Sovereignty of the state.
While calling on law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the attack are brought to book, Aregbesola said whoever is behind this undemocratic action must be fished out and prosecuted.
The Governor also wondered whether the comment of Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, that the Osun Delegate was the aggressor who had come to the venue of the event to cause trouble, was diplomatic enough.
He noted that such remarks is capable of causing disaffection between the two sister states, who have lived without any rancour towards each other for years since the creation of both states.
According to the Statement , Ilori represented the state and as such ought to be accorded all the respect and courtesy due to the State of Osun by both government of Ondo and the security agencies.
He said, “The statement credited to Hon. Yemi Olowolabi that ‘what happened is sad but it is avoidable. It is apparent the Osun delegates came prepared with thugs, charms, ammunitions cudgels to an event which was supposed to be an all APC event’ was highly undiplomatic and not expected from a commissioner of that status.
“This state of affairs was far from the truth as Olowolabi made people to believe. The Osun delegate simply went armed with their intellect to marshal the position of the state.
“Why would a delegate go with dangerous objects to a conference on restructuring when Ondo and Osun are not at war or in confrontation over any issue.
“Ilori represented the government and people of Osun. Therefore, he deserved to be accorded the courtesy and respect due to the state. He deserved to be protected by the government of the Ondo as well as security agencies at the. Venue of the conference.
“All these safety measures were not put in place. Rather Hon. Ilori was exposed to attack by some top government official, who reportedly had axe to grind with Ilori over election matters in the state.
“The attack on Ilori is barbaric and reprehensible, to say the least. It is no doubt an attack on the entire people and government of Osun, whom Ilori represented at the meeting. We condemn in strong terms this affront on the people and Government of Osun, which the attack on our delegate signposted.”
