By OLA AJAYI
IBADAN—JOURNALISTS were rough-handled and several aides of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, were yesterday shut out of Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, by some overzealous security agents on the entourage of the First Lady, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan.

Mrs. Jonathan was in Ibadan on a one-day “Thank You Visit and Peace Advocacy Campaign to the state.

Dignitaries such as Justice Bolajoko Adeniji, Chief Judge, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, and commissioners had a rough deal as they spent several minutes outside the stadium before they were allowed in.

Though journalists and the aides of the governor arrived the venue of the programme early, the soldiers and State Security Service operatives refused to allow them in despite the intervention of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo.

All the pleas by the spokesperson to the governor fell on deaf ears as the security men threatened to beat him up for pleading on behalf of the reporters.

Though some of security men later wanted to allow the journalists in, one of them identified as L. Mohammed, insisted that until the governor’s aide apologized for challenging them, none of the affected journalists would be allowed in.

After many unsuccessful persuasions by Akin Aboluwade of the Punch, Bisi Oladele, (Nation), Dare Fasube, Vanguard, Sola Adeyemo from the Nigerian Compass, they had to turn back.

However, speaking at the event, Mrs. Jonathan urged Governor Ajimobi to encourage more women participation in his administration.

She said: “I did promise that the administration of  President Jonathan would allocate more political space to the women. This he has faithfully done. Today, I’m glad to announce that in the history of Nigeria, it is the first time that a total of 13 women are serving in the cabinet as ministers and special assistants.”