OSOGBO, Nigeria – Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke left the Osogbo Eid prayer ground in anger after a clash with former Senate spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru, over seating arrangements.
Basiru arrived at the Eid prayer ground on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, along with Asiwaju of Osogbo, Chief Tunde Badmus, and other prominent members of the community to observe the two rakat congregational prayer.
He initially sat on a reserved front-row seat, but a member of Governor Adeleke’s protocol team informed him that the seat was reserved for the Governor.
Basiru then changed his seat to another front-row position, but Adeleke’s protocol team again objected to this.
Governor Adeleke arrived at the prayer ground shortly after, and Chief Badmus left his seat to welcome him.
However, upon the Governor’s arrival, his protocol team insisted that Basiru leave the front row, which was met with resistance from some community members who argued that Basiru is a prominent figure in the community.
This led to an uproar, and Governor Adeleke returned to his car.
After a few minutes, he came back to the prayer area and noticed that Basiru was still seated in the front row.
He then left the prayer ground in anger without participating in the prayer.
After the Governor’s departure, police officers arrived at the prayer ground and closed the gate, informing worshipers that they were there to arrest Basiru on the orders of the government.
The worshippers resisted this move and forced the gate open.
The Turakat prayer was observed by Basiru and other prominent community members, after which they all left the prayer ground.
Attempts to get reactions from Basiru and Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, were unsuccessful as they did not respond to calls or texts at the time of reporting.
