A state of order was met throughout the traditional Eid prayers at the Osogbo Eid praying ground on Wednesday, successfully averting chaos. It came to light that the stage had been arranged in accordance with tradition, indicating the commencement of the festival.
Reports indicate that the Chief Imam, as the prayer leader, assumed the foremost position, while other dignitaries took their place in the second row.
The second row is customarily designated for prominent individuals such as the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, the governor, prominent politicians, and notable citizens of Osogbo.
Shockingly, chaos erupted upon Governor Ademola Adeleke’s arrival at the venue. Sarafa Ibrahim, the Governor’s media aide, claimed that Governor Adeleke was subjected to an assault allegedly staged by thugs hired by former Senator Ajibola Basiru at the Osogbo Eid prayer ground.
He noted that ‘They came with machetes and all sorts of weapons at the Eid prayer ground. The governor was not even in Osun as he was in Lagos to have a meeting with the United States Consular General.’
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‘He came straight to the Osogbo Eid prayer ground and upon citing him, they just mobilised. They even attacked the House of Representatives member for Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun/Orolu Federal Constituency, Maruti Adewale Adebayo.’
‘It was obvious that they already planned the attacks. SRJ is playing with fire. What they just did is treasonous. For them to attempt to kill the leader of a state.’
‘Some of his boys were identified among the thugs. They came with weapons purposely to stop the governor from accessing the prayer ground.’
‘The governor was whisked away by his security aides and he left Immediately.’
A witness who preferred to remain unidentified discredited the alleged assassination attempt, affirming that it was merely a disagreement between Governor Adeleke and Senator Basiru over the seating arrangements. The witness emphasized that the incident did not escalate into any form of violent confrontation.
The witness said, ‘The front row after the Imam at the Eid prayer ground in Osogbo is usually reserved for the dignitaries and they include, Senator Basiru, Ataoja of Osogbo land, Khamis Olatunde Badmus and the governor whenever he is around.’
Reports indicate that upon Governor Adeleke’s arrival, he instructed Senator Basiru to vacate the seat reserved for him.
‘SRJ insisted that he will not vacate his reserved position because they are at the Eid prayer ground which made the governor angrily storm out of the venue of the prayers.’
According to the eyewitness, security personnel were instructed to arrest SRJ, resulting in the closure of the access gate to the Eid ground.
‘The Osogbo Indigenes at the Eid prayer ground rose up in protest that nobody would be arrested but the matter has been resolved.’
‘There was no attempted assassination on the life of Governor Ademola Adeleke,’ he added.
All attempts to get a response from Senator Ajibola Basiru were proven fruitless as he did not answer any of the phone calls and ignored the messages sent to him.