CITIZENS COMPASS – Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, escaped an attack by gunmen during Sallah prayers at a Muslims prayer ground in Osogbo the capital of Osun State.
According to the Governor’s aids, this occurred in the morning following an uproar at the prayer ground.
However, other sources claimed that what happened was a misunderstanding over sitting arrangements at the prayer ground.
The alleged attack according to government sources was orchestrated by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and this led to the governor boycotting the prayers over security challenges.
The source said before the Governor’s arrival, intelligence reports had filtered in that gunmen had infiltrated the prayer ground with the intention of assaulting the governor.
It was gathered that a top official of the APC had taken over the seat usually reserved for the governor.
A source disclosed that efforts were made to persuade the top APC official to vacate the seat but he refused. The situation was worsened by the presence of armed men who were scattered around the prayer ground.
It was gathered that efforts were made to keep the governor away from the prayer ground on account of the armed men but that Senator Adeleke insisted on going ahead with the prayers.
“Are they not our people, after all it is just five minutes of prayer,” a source close to the governor quoted him as saying.
However, once the governor arrived, it was learnt that the armed men commenced some movements which put the governor’s security aides in fear forcing them to bundle him out of the prayer ground.
A member of the House of Representatives representing Osogbo Federal Constituency, Rep Moruf Gangaria was, however, not that lucky as he was reportedly beaten up by the thugs.
Spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed who confirmed the attack said that Governor Adeleke was safe and was set to issue a statement on the reported attack of the gunmen.
At press time, APC was yet to react to the development.
However, other sources claimed that the problem arose from a sitting squabble between the governor and APC chief, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
According to Vanguard, the Senator along with foremost religion leader in the state, Chief Tunde Badmus had arrived the Eid ground at Oke-Baale area of the state capital and took their seats in the front row.
However, some politicians approached him and told him he was occupying the Governor’s space and the senator moved to another space on the row, but they insisted he must leave the row for another for the Governor and his entourage.
The Senator however insisted on seating on the row which created controversy and some hoodlums began to create scene and incidentally, the Governor arrived the Eid ground at the time but could not leave his vehicle for his seat.
The Governor eventually stayed back in his car because of the scenario and could not observe the two raka’at prayer.
It was gathered that attempt to arrest the senator was eventually foiled as he was said to left the ground with Chief Badmus after the prayer rites.
It was learnt that Governor Adeleke was born into a Muslim family but later converted to Christianity.
However, like most Yoruba identifies with both religions during festivities and the alleged gunmen attack was being seen more as political than religious matter.
–Vanguard
