A civil society group, Society for Women Empowerment (SWE), has given a 7-day ultimatum to the Ondo state deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to publicly apologise to his wife, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for allegedly manhandling her.

The group, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Damilola Charles, accused Mr Aiyedatiwa of “repeatedly beating and abusing” his spouse, even in the presence of his staff and friends.

“We are aware that the deputy governor had deliberately attempted to cover up this incident and also silenced his close aides who witnessed the scene on different occasions.

“We are also giving the deputy governor seven days ultimatum to come clean and apologise to his wife publicly. Failure to do this will attract massive action against him,” it said in the statement obtained by Peoples Gazette.

The group, which noted that it was against any form of ‘domestic violence’, added that the campaign on violence against women must apply to elected officers in the country.

While alleging that Mr Aiyedatiwa has physically assaulted his wife twice in the last four months, the group said it was unacceptable for the Ondo deputy governor to allegedly assault his partner and inflict grievous bodily injuries on her.

It added that it was shocking to discover that the Ondo deputy governor assaulted his wife severally to the point that she (Mrs Aiyedayiwa) had to escape to the United Kingdom to save her life.

“It is unacceptable that a deputy governor would physically assault his wife and inflict grievous bodily injuries on her. It is equally disturbing that the deputy governor would perpetrate this crime against humanity and womanhood and attempt to cover it up.

“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,” the group further added in the statement.

The group, however, called on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s wife, Betty-Anyanwu, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adebunmi Osadahun, to wade into the alleged case of battery involving the deputy governor.

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

“We are calling on the First Lady, Chief Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in the State to look deeper into the situation and represent the interest of the Nigerian women,” the group said.

The Gazette could not immediately reach Mr Aiyedatiwa for comments on the allegation as his line was not connecting.

But reacting, his spokesman, Kenneth Odusola, said it’s a “family matter” that is not for public consumption.

He said, “Family matters should be left for family matters. That is not for your own consumption so I don’t know about it. I don’t look at family matters, so I don’t know about any domestic violence.

“Whoever may have talked to you or given you information should go and get his facts and not from me because I am not employed by a family and I don’t get involved.”