The convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State came under attack by gunmen in Osogbo, the state capital, four days after his re-election victory.
The governor’s convoy came under heavy gunfire from the assailants shortly after he visited the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.
PUNCH newspaper reports that the gunmen stormed the palace vicinity in an unregistered Sienna space bus through the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo and started shooting. The shooting reportedly lasted for about 15 minutes.
The Ataoja back and endorsed Adeleke’s second term bid amid pressure from the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
After picking up his Certificate of Return at the Independence National Electoral Commission office, Adeleke met with the monarch to show his gratitude for his support.
According to an eyewitness, pandemonium broke out towards the end of the meeting after the monarch had prayed for the governor and his entourage.
She disclosed Adeleke had already left the hall through a private exit used only by the monarch and his wives when the shooting started.
“He was already in the bus that brought him and his close aides to the palace when we started hearing heavy gunshots. Those that attacked had come in an unregistered Sienna space bus through the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo.
“The shooting lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes before the governor’s convoy eventually left the palace. The governor’s security men and those hoodlums exchanged gunshots. Those hoodlums later fled the scene,” Punch quoted her as saying.
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack, adding the governor’s security details successfully foiled the assailants and that no casualty was recorded.
“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” he said.
The attack on the governor came barely four days after he won the state gubernatorial election. He defeated his main rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adeleke, who was elected on the platform of the Accord Party, garnered 511,067 votes to edge out Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes, winning by a margin of 67,244 votes.
