BY David Oputah
TheCable reporter, Ibrahim Alawode and Michael Abimboye of Premium Times would have been mobbed while covering the governorship election in Ibadan, Oyo state, were it not for the intervention of an INEC official.
“At Otun Agbaakin polling unit, Akinyele LGA, two of us were almost lynched,” Alawode said.
“We had approached the presiding officer to ask him some questions but he was unwilling to talk. We then decided to take pictures. At this point, he raised his voice and accused of us taking illegal pictures.
“Before we knew it, some party agents and young people around started shouting, saying they didn’t need media men and were ready to assault us physically.
“But for the timely intervention by the supervising presiding officer, we would have been beaten by the people. We were immediately dragged out of the place and prevented from taking any pictures.”
Ibrahim had covered the presidential election in Ibadan a fortnight ago without any attempt of violence on him.
His story mirrors that of Taiwo George, who was robbed in Rivers by thugs.
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