The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, was reportedly attacked to the point of unconsciousness during the All Progressives Congress governorship primary held on Saturday.
The incident occurred at Ugbo Ward 3 in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
Dr. Ajaka, a medical doctor recently appointed as a commissioner by the state governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was allegedly assaulted by members of his party.
Trouble began when the commissioner allegedly did not hand over the result sheet of the election in the unit he was overseeing to party members who were curious about the election results in the unit.
The angry party members who attacked the commissioner were reportedly loyal to one of the governorship aspirants in the state.
According to a source, Ajaka was identified by the electoral officer at the polling unit for holding the results sheet, keeping it away from the voters (party members).
This infuriated the voters.
His failure to release the sheet was said to be the reason for the attack on him.
Ajaka, who confirmed the incident, said he was attacked because they alleged he was withholding the result sheet, adding that he was attacked while he was trying to explain to them.
He said, ” The Commissioner for Health received a serious beating in his hometown when he was trying to act some funny things there. He was beaten blue and black, and his clothes were torn by the angry APC supporters.”
“I was beaten by the people. They (APC supporters) accused me of withholding election results, and while trying to explain to them what happened, they just started beating me,” Ajaka explained.
