A clash broke out between Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and former spokesperson to the Nigerian Senate, Ajibola Basiru, at the Osogbo Eid prayer ground over a sitting arrangement dispute. The incident occurred when Basiru and Chief Tunde Badmus, the Asiwaju of Musulumi of Yorubaland, arrived at the venue for the Turakat prayer.
According to Basiru, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Raji Muniru, approached him and demanded that he vacate his seat, which was allegedly reserved for Governor Adeleke. Basiru initially adjusted to the extreme edge of the front row but refused to move to the second row as directed by Muniru. Worshippers at the venue supported Basiru, insisting that he, being from Osogbo, should sit in the front row.
During the altercation, Chief Badmus left the prayer ground to escort Governor Adeleke, who had just arrived. Upon noticing the commotion, the governor left the scene and sat in his car while the dispute continued. Eventually, Adeleke left the Eid ground without observing the Turakat prayer, while Basiru and other community leaders proceeded with the prayer.
Following the governor’s departure, police operatives arrived at the scene and attempted to arrest Basiru, but they were prevented by worshippers. Basiru explained that there were no indications that any seat was reserved for the governor and criticized the actions of Muniru, whom he referred to as an overzealous supporter.
In response to the incident, Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, alleged that the clash was an attempted assassination by thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Eid ground. He called for calm and directed security agencies to arrest those involved and ensure they face the consequences of their actions. The state government condemned the attacks on the governor and expressed shock at the presence of armed thugs at the prayer ground.
