Osogbo Mayhem: Governor Adeleke's Convoy Attacked Amidst Gunfire, Davido Clarifies Involvement

The convoy of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, was reportedly attacked by suspected hoodlums on Wednesday in Osogbo, shortly after his visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji. This incident, which triggered an exchange of gunfire with the governor's security personnel, occurred just after Governor Adeleke concluded his meeting with the monarch, following the receipt of his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Governor Adeleke had arrived at the Ataoja's palace around 3:15 pm in a motorcade comprising approximately 20 vehicles, having just collected the certificate confirming his re-election from the Osun State INEC headquarters. The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack, stating that the governor's security successfully repelled the assailants and that no casualties were recorded. Alimi described the perpetrators as "hoodlums" who attacked the convoy at the Ataoja's palace.

An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, detailed that the governor and his entourage were received by Oba Oyetunji, and Governor Adeleke had reportedly presented his Certificate of Return to the monarch. The witness recounted that the trouble began as the meeting was ending, after prayers were offered, and the governor had already left the hall through an exit designated for the monarch and his wives. She stated, "He was already in the bus that brought him and him and his close aides to the palace when we started hearing heavy gunshots."

According to the eyewitness, the attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna Space Bus via the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo. The exchange of gunfire lasted for an estimated 12 to 15 minutes before the governor's convoy eventually departed the palace. The attackers reportedly engaged the governor’s security men in a gun battle before fleeing the scene. A local trader, Munirat, near the palace suggested that the hoodlums might have been aware of Adeleke’s visit and waited for his arrival, alleging they also damaged the palace's main gate during the incident. She further claimed the attackers engaged the governor’s security personnel near the Osogbo Central Mosque before escaping towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road. The event caused widespread panic, leading traders and residents to abandon their businesses and seek safety, with sporadic gunshots heard around the area for some time afterward, prompting some business owners to close their shops.

However, Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, later clarified the alleged attack on Governor Ademola Adeleke's convoy. In a post on his verified X handle on Wednesday evening, Davido debunked the initial reports. He admitted that a fight had occurred outside the palace but explicitly denied any connection to the convoy or his entourage. "Lies! It was a fight outside the palace that had nothing to do with us. The people love his excellency," he tweeted.

This incident unfolded in the context of Governor Adeleke's recent victory in the gubernatorial election, where he secured 511,067 votes. His opponents included Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 444,815 votes, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who polled 17,180 votes.