Group accuses Ondo deputy governor of wife battery — but he denies allegation

A group known as the Society for Women Empowerment (SWE) has accused Lucky Aiyedatiwa, deputy governor of Ondo state, of assaulting Oluwaseun, his wife.

Damilola Charles, SWE’s national coordinator, said it is “disturbing” that Aiyedatiwa would perpetrate the alleged act and be allowed to cover it up.

Charles asked Betty Akeredolu, first lady of Ondo, to intervene in the matter and represent the interest of the Nigerian woman.

“It is unacceptable that a deputy governor would physically assault his wife and inflict grievous bodily injuries on her,” the coordinator said in a statement.

“Those who occupy public offices are expected to be above board and conduct themselves in a manner that would inspire the people and serve as role models.

“It is shocking to discover that the deputy governor assaulted his wife severely to the point that the wife had to escape to the United Kingdom to save her life.

“The deputy governor has broken moral decorum and acted in a manner that brings his office into disrepute. We are, to say the least, disappointed with this embarrassing conduct.”

‘ALLEGATION IS FALSE’

In reaction to the allegation, Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, Aiyedatiwa’s spokesperson, denied the allegation levelled against his principal.

Odusola-Stevenson said it is a known fact that Oluwaseun, who has lived and worked in the UK for years, shuttles between Nigeria and the European country.

“The said allegation of domestic abuse against the person of the deputy governor is a figment of the imagination of those behind it and their ungodly intentions to cause crisis in the state had been known for weeks and therefore such falsehood did not come as a surprise,” he said.

“While His Excellency reserves the right to privacy on issues pertaining to his family, it is pertinent to state clearly that there has never been any domestic violence between the deputy governor and his lovely wife, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, who at the moment is outside the shores of the country.

“In the last four months quoted in the false report as timeline, His Excellency has been busy with official duties of his office and has during the period performed the duties of the office of the governor as delegated to him by his boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, while he was on leave.

“It is concerning to see that a faceless group said to be headed by a name not known anywhere in the state could sell such fabrication to media men.

“It is more concerning, however, that such a lie, which was not backed with any evidence whatsoever, could be promoted into a news item by journalists.”