Alleged Attack on Ataoja Sparks Political Row, APC Demands Probe.

The alleged assassination attempt on the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, has triggered fresh political controversy in Osun State, with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) demanding a thorough investigation into the incident.

The monarch had alleged that gunmen invaded his palace and opened fire in an attempt to assassinate him, an incident he linked to political intolerance over his support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.

Oba Oyetunji disclosed the alleged attack during an endorsement programme organised by Ajegunle traders and artisans in support of Governor Adeleke’s second-term ambition in Osogbo.

According to the royal father, some of his aides sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, which he described as a disturbing manifestation of political bitterness.

“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,” the monarch said.

Despite the incident, Oba Oyetunji insisted that the attack would not deter him from supporting Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign. He urged politicians and their supporters to shun violence and embrace peaceful democratic processes.

The monarch appealed to residents to express their political preferences through the ballot box and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to safeguard lives and property across the state. He also reiterated his support for both Governor Adeleke and President Bola Tinubu.

Reacting to the development, the Osun State chapter of the APC called on the Nigeria Police Force to launch a comprehensive investigation into the alleged assassination attempt and make its findings public.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the party described the allegation as serious and capable of generating public concern, stressing the need for security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

The APC raised questions over whether the matter was formally reported to the police, the identities of the aides allegedly injured during the attack, and the hospitals where they received treatment.
“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,” the statement read.
Similarly, APC leaders in Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Areas called for an independent probe by relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, former Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Akintunde Adegboye, noted that the Ataoja did not directly accuse any political party of involvement in the alleged attack.
He questioned comments allegedly made by Governor Adeleke linking the incident to opposition elements before the conclusion of investigations and urged all parties to allow security agencies to carry out their duties without interference.
Adegboye also maintained that traditional rulers should remain above partisan politics and serve as fathers to all, regardless of political affiliation.
The incident has further heightened political tensions in Osun State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, with calls growing for a transparent investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and ensure accountability where necessary.

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Olayinka Olawole

Olayinka Olawole is the Publisher of The Nations Digest Newspaper with years of experience in journalism, writing, and digital media. Over the course of his career, he has worked with some of Nigeria’s leading media organisations, including Vanguard and The Nation Newspaper.

He also served as Deputy Editor at Sahara Reporters Sports and worked as Content Manager for the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), contributing significantly to sports journalism and digital content development in Nigeria.

Known for his strong storytelling ability and editorial expertise, Olayinka Olawole has covered a wide range of subjects, while also building a reputation in digital storytelling, audience engagement, and content optimisation for online and media platforms.

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