Osun: Tension At Osogbo Eid Prayer Ground, Gov Adeleke Leaves Hurriedly

By Ayodele Oni

The simmering war between Governor Ademola Adeleke and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) former Senator Ajibola Basiru, escalated at the Eid prayer ground, Osogbo, Osun State capital on Wednesday.

The situation, caused by sitting arrangement, led to confusion, and delayed the prayer from commencing on time.

Report said the governor and his entourage had to leave the venue to avoid adegeneration of the situation to an open attack.

Both the governor and former senate spokesperson had earlier been entangled in war of words over security situation in the state.

The governor had called on the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) to arrest the lawmaker.

At the prayer ground for the Eid prayer, arguments ensued over the sitting position of the Osun State Governor,  Adeleke.

It was gathered that the immediate past spokesperson for the Nigerian Senate, Ajibola Basiru had arrived at the prayer ground located at Oke-Baale area in Osogbo and allegedly sat at the position reserved for the governor.

When Governor Adeleke arrived the venue some minutes after, it was learnt that efforts at making Basiru leave the front space for Adeleke proved abortive.

The situation became rancorous as some Muslim leaders intervened to douse the tension so that the prayer for the Eid-el-Kabir would commence.

Eye witness recounted that “Efforts to make Basiru leave the sitting space didn’t yield positive results as the Senator remained in his space.”

It was further gathered that Governor Adeleke and his entourage left the prayer ground angry, and couldn’t participate in the religious event.

“Before Governor Adeleke arrived at the venue, Senator Basiru had already seated in the front row. The exact space he was sitting was said to have been reserved for Governor Adeleke.

“When the governor came with his team, they asked Senator Basiru to leave the space but he refused.

“Some Muslim leaders who were at the scene  appealed to Governor Adeleke not to leave angrily. They tried again to ask Senator Basiru to leave so that the governor wouldn’t sit in the back row, but he remained in his position.

“After this, Governor Adeleke and his people went away angrily and couldn’t stay for the prayer. The prayer started after the noise and confusion were over.’

When contacted, the spokesperson for Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, said, “The Governor escaped assassination attempt,” saying government will react later.