Chaos was prevented during the traditional Eid prayers at the Osogbo Eid praying ground on Wednesday, according to information obtained by Ejes Gist News.
The stage was set for the prayers, which are a customary part of the festival’s commencement.
The Chief Imam was positioned at the front, while other dignitaries were to occupy the second row. This row is typically reserved for the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, the governor, and other prominent politicians and notable individuals from Osogbo.
However, trouble arose when Governor Ademola Adeleke arrived at the venue. A media aide to the Governor, Sarafa Ibrahim, alleged that thugs hired by former Senator Ajibola Basiru attacked Governor Adeleke at the Osogbo Eid prayer ground. According to Ibrahim, they arrived armed with machetes and various weapons. The governor had actually been in Lagos for a meeting with the United States Consular General and had gone directly to the Osogbo Eid prayer ground upon his return.
Ibrahim stated, “They came straight to the Osogbo Eid prayer ground and upon sighting 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.”
However, an eyewitness to the incident, who wished to remain anonymous, debunked the notion of an attempted assassination, claiming that it was merely a disagreement between Governor Adeleke and Senator Basiru regarding seating arrangements. According to the eyewitness, when Governor Adeleke arrived, he requested that Senator Basiru vacate his reserved position for him. However, Senator Basiru refused, leading to an argument that prompted the governor to leave the venue in anger.
The eyewitness also mentioned that security personnel were instructed to arrest Senator Basiru, resulting in the closure of the access gate to the Eid ground. However, Osogbo indigenes at the Eid prayer ground protested against the arrest, and the situation was eventually resolved.
It should be noted that attempts to obtain a response from Senator Ajibola Basiru were unsuccessful, as calls to him went unanswered and messages were not replied to.
