Monday, June 15, 2026 - 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.
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