By Ayodele Oni
The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Ondo state Council, has protested to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and wife, Betty, over an alleged assault of a pregnant worker of the State Waste Management Agency.
In a letter, dated 7th May, 2021, with ref no OD/NLC/47/273, the union demanded the immediate sack of the Governor’s Aide, Dr Doyin Odebowale.
The letter was signed by the Chairman, Adeleye Sunday and Secretary, F.K. Shado.
Part of the letter reads, “it is with pain and heavy hearts that we write to report again (probably for the last time) on your appointee by name; Doyin Odebowale. It grieves our hearts that a man like him still finds space and expression in a decent and humane Government like yours, Sir.
“You will recall, Your Excellency, that, Labour had last year written to your office on more than two occasions of the malfeasance and incorrigibility of Doyin Odebowale regarding his acclaimed working for Mr. Governor against our members, tempered us and openly warned him against reoccurrence of his obnoxious behaviours.
“Our dear Governor, to our chagrin and disbelief the “animal” in Doyin Odebowale yesterday (6th May, 2021) reared its ugly head again when at the Erekesan Market, he inhumanly slapped a heavily pregnant woman, by name, Mrs. Egbebi Adeola.
“Reports that reached the Congress from her colleagues on duty and her primary Union all pointed to the fact that, the victim did nothing to have deserved such animalistic treatment from Doyin Odebowale.
“Your Excellency, with due respect and utmost regard for your office and person, we beg to say,enough is enough of Doyin Odebowale and his ignoble role in your government.
“We are tempted to say, Doyin is the ‘black sheep’ in this Government with the sole aim of tarnishing and destroying the good image Your administration has laboured to carve.
“We own this Government and there abounds eloquent testimonies of our and your achievements as a result of the industrial harmony and peace engendered by maturity understanding and warm relationship which are building blocks for the enduring and much talked about convivial atmosphere.
“Therefore, an ‘utter stranger’ shall not be allowed, no more to truncate it.
We pray Your Excellency to, immediately, suspend Doyin Odebowale from office and set up a panel of inquiry to look into the matter with a view to coming up with appropriate sanctions if, found culpable in the matter.
“To this end, Organised Labour shall commence, immediate action to ensure that the ‘unwanted element’ is chased out of office starting from Monday 10th May, 2021.”
In another letter to the Governor’s wife, Mrs Betty Akeredolu with ref no OD/NLC/47/274 and dated 7th May, 2021, the NLC condemned what it described as “untoward and inhuman treatment one Doyin Odebowale meted out on an innocent and heavily pregnant woman at Erekesan Market yesterday (6th May, 2021).
“Labour has it on good authority that the woman having completed her morning assignment by ensuring cleanliness of her bit as apportioned to her officially, sat to enjoy a deserving rest.
“It was in the course of her sitting, that the ‘lord of the manor’ walked in and queried her reason for not jumping up to her feet on sighting him.
“The victim trying to explain her condition received a loud slap from Doyin Odebowale.
“Ma, it took the quick intervention of the people around who rushed her to private Hospital as she fainted as a result of the assault and battery she suffered that prevented the unexpected from happening.”
The Union appealed to the First Lady to “as a woman of substance and advocate against Violence Against Women, stand in defence of this poor woman by ensuring that Doyin Odebowale does not escape his punishment which should serve as deterrent to others and most importantly that, the poor are no slave to the privileged.
“That, the woman receives the best treatment to ensure her safety in health and that of the unborn child.
“That, Her Excellency joins in the campaign for the removal of Doyin Odebowale as he has done enough damage to the good name and image of this administration.
“We are concerned because Mrs. Egbebi Adeola is a public servant at the Waste Management Board and we must be seen to rise in her defense at this point in time.
“We crave the indulgence of your official support as we join your office in the continuation of your campaign for a just and fair society to our women.”
The Governor’s aide has, however, denied the allegation.
