*“I’m Safe” says Adeleke after incident, calls for calm
The sitting arrangement at the Osogbo Eid praying ground on Wednesday led to a clash between some aides of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and an ex-spokesperson of the Senate, Dr. Ajibola Basiru.
Basiru had arrived at the praying ground alongside some prominent Osogbo indigenes for the Eid-el Kabir prayers and while waiting for the prayers to commence, it was learned that some people believed to be the governor’s aides informed him he was occupying the spot reserved for Adeleke and was asked to move to the second row.
The instruction led to disagreement, but Basiru was observed moving from where he earlier sat.
Adeleke had not arrived at the premises at the time the drama over the sitting arrangement was going on.
Upon arrival, Adeleke, who was ushered into the praying ground by Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Dr Tunde Badmus, could not proceed to the front row as the disagreement was still being resolved.
The governor’s convoy was later observed driving out of the area before the prayers started.
After the prayers, the entrance to the prayer ground was locked by the police, following claims that an order had come for Basiru’s arrest, but the entrance was later opened and the participants left the premises.
Efforts to speak with Basiru failed, as his line rang out, while spokesperson to the Osun Governor, Olawale Rasheed, could not also be reached on his mobile line.
Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke has appealed for calm after the chaos that greeted his arrival at the Osogbo Eid praying ground Wednesday morning.
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 destabilise 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.
The statement said that the Governor attempted to enter the praying field but the encirclement by armed thugs was already visible adding that it was at that point that the Governor had to leave the praying ground.
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