ABEOKUTA– Hell was let loose at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta when members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abeokuta South Local Government, descended on Sports Writers over a banner allegedly belonging to PDP gubernatorial candidate Hon. Ladi Adebutu.
The banner, which forms part of the sponsors insignia at the ongoing SWAN-SECURITY Cup, organised by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Ogun state was later destroyed by the hoodlums
One of the journalist beaten by the hoodlums, Soliu Owoyabu stated that he and other colleagues decided to start placing the banners at half time of the Dapo Abiodun Cup organised by the Local government in order to save time for the Semi Finals schedule for 2pm.
“I was taking the banners out one after the other to the sides of the field in order to save time after their own match. Immediately one of them sighted the LADO Group banner, they started shouting, asking me to return it or I get beaten.
“When I hesitated as to why, they descended on me in multiples saying I must have been a PDP member sent to disturb their competition.
“They siezed my phone, tore my clothes and publicly assaulted me, until I had to run for my dear life”, Owoyabu narrated
Also, Olusegun Folarin of Paramount FM added that the irate hoodlums were instigated by the presence of one of the party leaders in the Local government, Chief Niyi Edun who refused to wade into the ensuing melee.
It was reported that he personal instructed the journalists to be beaten, claiming the stadium belongs to APC and no other insignia of other party, or candidates must be seen.
As at the time of filing this report, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi is on his way to the stadium.
