Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
An Ondo State civil society organisation, Ondo Watch, has given Tope Olowofoyekun, popularly known as Tope Liberty, one week to resign his appointment as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Special Interest and Public Engagement over an alleged assault involving a former governorship aspirant in the state.
The group made the demand following an alleged physical confrontation between Olowofoyekun and Banji Okunomo, a former governorship aspirant and former Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued by Ondo Watch on Sunday, October 4, 2026, the incident allegedly occurred at the Arcade Playing Ground in Ondo State on the morning of Saturday, October 3.
The organisation alleged that Olowofoyekun physically assaulted Okunomo during the incident, leaving the former local government chairman unconscious and with bodily injuries.
Ondo Watch described the allegation as a serious matter requiring public attention, particularly because Olowofoyekun is a serving political appointee of the state government.
The group said the conduct attributed to the governor’s aide was inconsistent with the standards expected of public officials and called for accountability over the incident.
“It was prima-facie reported at early hour of yesterday (Saturday), 3rd of October 2026, that Mr. Olowofoyekun physically assaulted Hon. Banji Okunomo, causing him to lose consciousness and sustain bodily harm,” the organisation said in its statement.
The group further argued that government appointees should demonstrate restraint, dignity and exemplary conduct in their dealings with members of the public.
It said public appointments were positions of trust and should not become associated with allegations of violence.
Ondo Watch therefore called on Olowofoyekun to voluntarily resign his appointment while the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident are investigated by the appropriate authorities.
The organisation also urged the Ondo State Government to take action, arguing that retaining the aide in office while the allegation remains under consideration could damage public confidence in the administration.
The group subsequently issued a one-week ultimatum to Olowofoyekun, demanding that he resign before it considers further legal action.
Ondo Watch said it would pursue legal proceedings if the governor’s aide failed to comply with the demand within the stated period.
The organisation referred to provisions of the Criminal Code in making its argument, citing Sections 252 and 355 in relation to assault and assault occasioning harm. It also referred to Section 351 in connection with the legal action it threatened.
However, the allegations contained in the statement have not been established as proven facts by a court. The organisation itself called for investigation and determination of the matter by the relevant authorities.
There was also no confirmation in the report from the Ondo State Police Command that Olowofoyekun had been arrested, charged or formally prosecuted over the alleged incident.
SaharaReporters reported that its enquiries were directed to the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, to establish whether the matter had been reported and whether an investigation was underway.
Jimoh had not responded to calls or a message seeking clarification at the time the report was published.
The absence of a confirmed police position means that the details surrounding the alleged confrontation remain subject to investigation. The account presently in the public domain is largely based on the statement issued by Ondo Watch.
Okunomo, the person identified as the alleged victim, is a known political figure in Ondo State. He previously served as chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area and has also been involved in governorship politics in the state.
Olowofoyekun, meanwhile, serves in the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa as Senior Special Assistant on Special Interest and Public Engagement. He has previously participated actively in political and public affairs in Ondo State and has defended the administration against criticism.
His public role has previously placed him at the centre of political debates in the state. In September 2026, for instance, Olowofoyekun publicly challenged claims concerning the alleged involvement of Governor Aiyedatiwa in the deployment of military personnel during a protest involving students. He argued at the time that serious allegations should be supported by verifiable evidence.
The latest controversy therefore places another allegation involving the governor’s aide in the public spotlight, although the circumstances surrounding the reported confrontation have yet to be independently established.
The incident also comes against the backdrop of continuing political disagreements in Ondo State ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political actors and groups have increasingly engaged in public disputes over the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa, the direction of the All Progressives Congress in the state and the activities of political stakeholders.
Recent months have also seen disagreements within the Ondo APC, including disputes involving party officials, lawmakers and political figures associated with different camps.
However, the allegation involving Olowofoyekun is separate from those wider political disagreements, and no evidence has been established linking the reported incident to any particular political dispute.
Ondo Watch said its demand was motivated by the principle that public officials should be held to a high standard of conduct. It maintained that the alleged incident, if established, would be incompatible with the responsibilities attached to a government appointment.
The organisation’s one-week ultimatum therefore places pressure on both Olowofoyekun and the Ondo State Government to address the allegation publicly.
For now, however, the key facts remain that an allegation of assault has been made by Ondo Watch, the organisation has demanded Olowofoyekun’s resignation and has threatened legal action if he does not comply within one week.
There has been no reported judicial determination establishing that Olowofoyekun committed the alleged assault, while a police response concerning the reported incident was still being sought at the time of publication.
The development is expected to generate further attention in Ondo State as calls for accountability increase around government officials and political actors. Any subsequent police investigation, statement from the accused aide, response from the governor’s office or court proceedings would provide additional information needed to establish what occurred at the Arcade Playing Ground on October 3.
Until such information becomes available, the allegation remains an allegation, and the competing accounts should be subjected to due investigation by the appropriate authorities.
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