Adeleke Alleges Attack on Ataoja, Accuses APC of Sponsoring Thugs
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that thugs sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Larooye II, and attempted to shoot the monarch.
In a post on his X account on Sunday, Adeleke claimed that the attack was politically motivated, alleging that the monarch became a target after publicly endorsing him for a second term in office.
According to the governor, the Ataoja’s endorsement did not sit well with leaders of the APC in the state.
“The Ataoja of Osogbo, one of Nigeria’s most revered royal fathers, said he was shot at by APC thugs inside his own palace. His subjects were hit by live bullets. Kabiyesi himself was the target,” Adeleke wrote.
He added that despite the attack, the monarch remained steadfast in his support for his administration.
The governor challenged the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, whom he described as a son of Osogbo, to condemn the incident and call party members to order.
“Osun APC has gone too far. Why did they send thugs to your father’s palace? Why did they desecrate the throne that raised you?” Adeleke queried.
He further described the incident as an attack on the people of Osogbo and called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Monarch Recounts Attack
Speaking at a gathering organised by the Ajegunle Tradesmen and Artisans Group on Saturday, the Ataoja confirmed that he survived an attack during the recent political violence that affected Osogbo and Ede.
The monarch, who also endorsed Adeleke’s re-election bid at the event, disclosed that the attack occurred on the same day his son, a political party chairman in the state, was shot by gunmen.
“On that day, some gunmen shot my son, who is the head of a political party in Osun. They also attacked me in the palace that same day. But I survived the attack,” the monarch said.
He revealed that one of the suspects had been remanded in Ilesa and expressed gratitude for surviving the incident.
The monarch urged political actors in the state to resolve their differences through democratic means rather than violence.
Rising Political Tension
The latest development comes amid increasing political tension between Governor Adeleke’s camp and the APC ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
On June 4, the Chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State, Asimiyu Ajibola, survived an assassination attempt after he was reportedly shot by gunmen in Osogbo.
Days later, the APC campaign council accused Adeleke of deploying Amotekun operatives to guard a family-owned business in Ondo State.
In response, the governor accused the opposition party of sponsoring political thugs to carry out attacks across parts of Osun and called on security agencies to intervene.
