Group seeks protection for journalists as Jandor’s aide, Korede assaults Guardian reporter

Ameeting with Igbo market leaders in Amuwo Odofin. LAGOS based Non- GovThe journalist was said to ernmental Organisahave arrived Jandor’s camtion ( NGO), W omen paign office at exactly Matters, has urged govern8: 00a. m., but there was no ment to provide protection sign the event would hapfor journalists in the course pen as soon as stated in the of their duty , saying reinvite. porters have been killed, “The reporter had to find a harassed and maimed in seat in the premises to wait the course of their duty . for other newsmen and or

The call was sequel to the ganisers of the programme. assault and harassment “A man opposite where she meted to a Lagos- based fewas seated told her she wasmale journalist, Kehind e n’t supposed to sit there, to Olatunji by one Theophilus which she asked why, and Akorede, an aide to guberhe replied that it was Oga’s natorial candidate of the seat. The man directed her Peoples Democratic Party, to the opposite direction, ( PDP) in Lagos, Olaji de which she went. Adediran, popularly known “After a while, the man told as Jandor . the reporter to find another

The assault occurred at seat again, saying he wants Jandor’s campaign office in to leave the area, and the reIkeja at about 8: 00a. m. on porter obliged again and and was witnessed by aneven asked him where she other journalist. could sit and charge her

It was learnt that Olatunji phone. She was directed to had honoured an invitation another part of the prem

by Lagos State PDP publicises. ity secretary and Chairman “After the reporter had setMedia and Publicity Comtled down, Akorede apmittee of Jandorfunke 2023 proached her and said, “I Campaign Council, Haheard you sat on Oga’s seat, keem Amode, for Jan dor’s next time you come here and try such, I will bundle you into the gutter. Look at me very well.”

“The reporter, feeling astonished, asked if he also woke up from the gutter that morning. Akorede was angry for being talked to in such a manner and approached her to bundle her as he said.

“He carried her from the seat and was taking her from the premises to make good his words, when a journalist entered and forced him to drop her,” a witness had narrated.

Reacting, Executive Director of Women Matters, Mrs. Olabisi Olayide, said it was disheartening that journalists were subjected to harassment by political thugs, noting that adequate measures should be in place to address such issues.

Contacted, Jandor’s director of communication and strategy, Seun Soyinka, expressed surprise over the attack and promised to reach out to Kehinde. However, at the time of this report, Soyinka was yet to do that.