. It was assassination attempt on Gov Adeleke – Spokesperson
. We won’t tolerate executive recklessness – APC chairman
Confusion ensued on Wednesday at the Osogbo Central Eid Prayer Ground in Osun State as chieftains of the ruling People’s Democratic Party and opposition All Progressives Congress clashed over sitting arrangement.
Senate’s immediate past spokesperson, Senator Basiru Ajibola, was at the prayer ground early and sat in the front row among other dignitaries, including the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Chief Khamis Olatunde Badmus.
But a chieftain of PDP, Alhaji Muniru Raji, was said to have approached Basiru and told him that Governor Ademola Adeleke was on his way to the prayer ground and that he (Basiru) should vacate where he sat for the governor.
Basiru refused to heed Muniru’s directive and this resulted in a commotion at the prayer ground with supporters of both parties confronting one another.
Governor Adeleke’s convoy arrived at the prayer ground amid the commotion, forcing him to remain inside his vehicle.
His convoy later drove out of the prayer ground, before the commencement of the Eid prayer.
This development angered some PDP loyalists, who then attempted to attack Basiru whose supporters resisted them.
In a press statement, Adeleke’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, alleged that the incident was an assassination attempt on the life of the Governor.
The statement quoted Governor Adeleke as saying, “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.
“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.
“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 Governor is now safely at home receiving guests and leaders from all walks of life.”
But in a swift reaction, the Osun State chapter of APC, in a statement, countered the governor’s spokesman.
APC State Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, blamed PDP members for the confusion at the Eid prayer ground.
He said their attitude amounted to executive lawlessness.
“We, in the APC, won’t tolerate the needless heating up of the polity and disturbance of public peace by someone who is supposed to be the state security officer of the state”, the APC chairman stated.