*Gov directs security agencies to arrest those behind incident
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
It was confusion galore on Wednesday at the Osogbo praying ground as there was controversy over the sitting arrangement at the praying ground between Gov Ademola Adeleke and the immediate past Senate spokesperson, Senator Ajibola Bashiru.
New Nigerian gathered that following the controversy, Gov Adeleke left the praying ground without observing the Eid El Kabir prayer.
It was learnt that the confusion reared its head when Senator Bashiru arrived the prayer ground with Asiwaju of Osogbo, Chief Tunde Badmus and other prominent Muslim leaders in Osogbo and occupied the front row at the praying ground.
Sources said on arrival, the
governor’s protocol officials at the praying ground reportedly urged Senator Basiru to leave the portion of the front row purportedly reserved for Governor Adeleke during which the former Senate spokesperson shifted from his seat a bit, but that it was not okay enough with the protocol.
Our correspondent gathered that it was during the argument arising from the sitting arrangement that Governor Adeleke arrived the praying ground
With the arrival of Gov Adeleke, the protocol of the governor was said to have insisted that Senator Basiru should leave the front row with some of the people at the praying ground resisting and Gov Adeleke left the scene for his car as the scene was becoming rowdy.
Gov Adeleke it was learnt, after some minutes, returned, only to discover that Senator Basiru was still in the front row and the governor immediately departed the praying ground without observing the Eid El Kabir prayers.
However, the governor, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, appealed for calm, saying, “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.’
“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 statement reads, “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. For the second time, the Governor attempted to enter the praying field but the encirclement by armed thugs was already visible. It was at that point that the Governor had to leave the praying ground.”
