Suspected Thugs Attack Carpenters & Furniture Union Secretariat, Destroy Properties
Palpable tension brewed on Thursday at the State Secretariat of the Furniture and Carpenters Union (CFU) in Akure, Ondo State Capital as suspected thugs invaded the Secretariat and destroyed properties belonging to the union.
It was learnt that the hoodlums numbering about fifteen who were led by some expelled members of the Union disrupted the monthly meeting, destroyed properties and carted away valuables.
An eyewitness account narrated that the suspected thugs came on motorbikes, entered the Secretariat and prevented members from leaving and forcefully asked the State Chairman, Comrade Adekunle Obolo to vacate office for a new Caretaker Committee Chairman.
Speaking with Newsmen, the State Chairman said one Gbenga Aladesanmi popularly known as Jengo disclosed that the attack on the leadership of the Union has the backing of the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Tayo Oluwatuyi Tukana.
Comrade Obolo added that Jengo was boasting at the B Division Police Station in Akure that the operation was carried out on the instruction of the SSG in what could be described as coup d’etat against duely elected administration.
” The seemingly coordinated attack was with intent of forcefully ousting me out of office illegally, using paid thugs to carry out their plan. I am duely elected for second term in office, processed supervised by relevant bodies and published same in the newspaper”.
The Chairman said aside destruction of furniture and properties, the paid thugs carted away SUBEB Contract Papers and receipt, huge amount of money paid by Local Government Executives for their Swearing-in among others valuables.
Speaking further, Comrade Obolo said the attack was carried out by expelled members of the union using thugs to forcefully seal off the Secretariat.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman said the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Tayo Oluwatuyi Tukana has distanced himself from the planned attack on the union, saying he couldn’t descend so low to interfere into the affairs of the union.
Comrade Obolo said in a phone conversation with the SSG, Hon Tukana denied giving instructions to anyone to attack or destroy property of the union.
While asking them not to drag him into the crisis that is rocking their union, the SSG advised the Union to take legal action against the perpetrators, saying Ondo State Government would not tolerate whatever will disrupt the peace and harmony of the state.
The Chairman enjoined members across the Council Area of the state to remain committed to the leadership of the union, saying their plan to oust in out of office illegally has met a brink wall.
His words: ” I am using this medium to charge our members who might have heard about the attack on our Secretariat today not to panic. The attack was carried out by some disgruntle elements who want to take the leadership of the union through the back door. They have been reported to the authority and the full wrath of law will take it dues course’.
He thanked members for their love and for always believing in his leadership since he assumed office, promising to continue to prioritize their welfare at all times.
He called on the State Government and security agencies to be alerted to their responsibility of maintaining law and order in the state.
” We are using this medium to alert the general public that the thugs that attacked our Secretariat are not our members but paid to cause violence and disrupt our peaceful meeting by some expelled individuals. Let’s Government and Security Agencies fish out this faceless coward who are desperate for power”.
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