The alleged assassination attempt on the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, has sparked calls for an investigation and renewed political tension in Osun State.
With the monarch recounting his ordeal, the All Progressives Congress, APC, leadership in Osogbo, while questioning the circumstances surrounding the claim, demanded a thorough probe and criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s handling of security.
The monarch had disclosed the alleged attack during an endorsement event organised by Ajegunle traders and artisans for Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid in Osogbo, where he claimed gunmen invaded his palace and shot sporadically in an attempt to kill him.
According to the Ataoja, some of his aides sustained gunshot injuries during the incident, which he alleged was an example of political bitterness.
He said the attack would not deter him from supporting Governor Adeleke’s second term ambition and appealed against political violence in the state.
“My palace was attacked. I was obviously the target, all because of our support for Governor Adeleke’s re-election. This is political bitterness taken too far. Law enforcement agencies were already taking action on the matter,” he said.
The royal father urged residents to reject violence and instead express their political preferences through the ballot box.
He also called on security agencies to strengthen security across the state and expressed support for both Governor Adeleke and President Bola Tinubu.
Reacting to the monarch’s statement, the Osun State chapter of the APC called on the police to investigate the alleged assassination attempt and establish the facts surrounding the incident.
The party said the allegation was grave and required urgent attention to reassure residents and protect the state’s image.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC said questions remained over whether the incident was reported to the police, the identities of those allegedly injured and the medical facilities where they were treated.
“It is necessary for the police to expedite action on the investigation of this allegation in order to clear some knotty issues surrounding it. We urge members of the public with relevant information to assist security agencies,” it stated.
Separately, leaders of the APC in Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas also demanded a comprehensive investigation into the allegation, saying the circumstances surrounding the claim required clarification.
They called on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to investigate the matter.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, former Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Akintunde Adegboye, said the Ataoja had not directly accused any political party of involvement and questioned why Governor Adeleke allegedly linked the matter to opposition elements before the conclusion of investigations.
“We expected that His Royal Majesty, the Ataoja of Osogbo, should rise above partisanship and be a father to all irrespective of political affiliation,” Adegboye said.
While also criticising the governor’s response to the matter, he described recent developments as evidence of lapses in the state’s security management.
