Confusion As Gov Adeleke Angrily Left Eid Ground After Seating Position Sparks Argument

In a dramatic turn of events at the Osogbo Eid prayer ground, heated arguments ensued over the sitting position of the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, leading to a chaotic scene on Wednesday morning.

The incident took place at the Oke-Baale area in Osogbo, leaving attendees bewildered and the governor unable to participate in the religious event.

Reports indicate that Ajibola Basiru, the former spokesperson for the Nigerian Senate, arrived at the prayer ground and allegedly occupied the seat reserved for the governor. When Governor Adeleke arrived a few minutes later, efforts were made to persuade Basiru to vacate the space for the governor, but all attempts proved futile.

Witnesses at the scene described the situation as rancorous, with tensions escalating as both parties stood their ground. Muslim leaders present intervened in an attempt to defuse the mounting tension and allow the Eid-el-Kabir prayer to commence.

According to an eyewitness who spoke to our correspondent, “Efforts to make Basiru leave the sitting space didn’t yield positive results as the Senator remained in his space.” The witness further explained that before the governor’s arrival, Senator Basiru had already taken his seat in the front row, which had been designated for Governor Adeleke.

Despite appeals from Muslim leaders, including Baba TUNS, urging Governor Adeleke not to leave in anger, the impasse persisted. They made further attempts to persuade Senator Basiru to relinquish his position, preventing the governor from being relegated to the back row. However, Basiru stood firm and refused to yield, exacerbating the situation.

Eventually, Governor Adeleke and his entourage left the prayer ground in frustration, unable to partake in the religious ceremony. The prayer commenced only after the commotion subsided.

In response to the incident, Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson for Governor Adeleke, briefly stated, “The governor escaped an assassination attempt,” before abruptly ending the phone conversation, presumably due to an urgent matter. Rasheed promised to return the call but was unavailable for further comments.

Meanwhile, the Governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke has appealed for calm, condemning the alleged assassination attempt at the Osogbo Eid praying ground.

The Governor in a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, thanked God for preserving him and his team, directing law enforcement agents to arrest culprits behind the incident.

“My good people of Osun, I appeal for calm and urge us to continue to celebrate the Sallah festival in peace. I am safe by the special grace of God”, the statement quoted the Governor as saying.

“I have directed security agencies to arrest those behind the incident and get them to face the wrath of the law. The Commissioner of Police has been directed to arrest those involved no matter how highly placed.

The State Government had meanwhile condemned the orchestrated attacks on the Governor by stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress at the praying ground. Members of the public will recall an earlier security alert on an evil plot to destabilize the peace and stability of Osun state.

The government particularly notes with shock and surprise the role played by former Senator Ajibola Bashiru who took over the space reserved for the Governor at the prayer ground. All efforts to get the former Senator to vacate the space proved abortive.

PDP members who agitated for respect for the office of the Governor were beaten up. It was a scene of chaos by the time the Governor arrived for the prayer.

The government was even more shocked that thugs armed to the teeth were spotted all over the praying ground with security information that they were imported to eliminate the Governor and key government functionaries.

The Governor who arrived at the venue hoping to observe the Eid prayers was practically surrounded by armed thugs, prompting security men to ferry the Governor into his jeep.

For the second time, the Governor attempted to enter the praying field but the encirclement by armed thugs was already visible. It was at that point that the Governor had to leave the praying ground.

The Governor is now safely at home receiving guests and leaders from all walks of life.

Reacting, the immediate past spokesperson for the Senate, Ajibola Basiru denied alleged assassination attempt on the Governor saying it was far from the truth.

Basiru who explained that ” I didn’t see the governor at Eld today so I did not know whether he was going to observe the prayer or not.

“I got to Eld and I sat I came in company of Asiwaju of Yoruba land , Aare Adeen of Osogbo and some leadership of Islamic community that is how we come and I sat one individual I didn’t know was working for the governor came and asked me to leave where I was sitting.

“I sat one individual I didn’t know was working for the governor came and asked me to leave where I was sitting and insulted me. I told him I did not know him he purportedly claimed that where I was sitting was where the governor supposed to sit.

“I said I didnt know, I did not see any protocol officers of the governor, I did not see advance team of the govern, I did not see anybody who is a security officer, so you as a person cannot ask me to leave and then they asked some thugs to come and attack me but some citizen rose up and defend me they removed my turbans but I quietly sat and observed my prayer and left .

“When I left, one policeman pushed me and said the CP ask me to come I was at the convoy of the vehicle with the Asiwaju of Adeen, they blocked the premises of the Eid for almost 45minutes eventually the CP put a call across and they drove down to the venue he told them what has happened I don’t know. I’m a Muslim I came down to observe prayer

“I just want to serve a note of caution to the governor of the state should not allow any non state actors to take over his protocols, his political activities or security.

“The protocols and VIP, governor ought to have been arranged before any event. Nobody can say am not a dignity in this town, I’m one of the VIP I’m one of the major contribution to the construction of that Eld have been a two term commissioner and I served as a senator at the federal level it not just one individual or tout that will come and say I’m not suppose to sit here .

“I implore the governor of the state to take charge of his government and to choose proper officials and not using tout to organises his events.