Thugs attack PDP members in Osun, monarch fumes

Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, on Tuesday placed a curse on those orchestrating attacks on people hiding behind politics in the town.

Oba Oyetunji, spoke when the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, visited him in his palace.

Before the arrival of Adeleke at Ataoja’s palace, it was learnt some members of the party were attacked by suspected hoodlums around Isale-Osun area of Osogbo, Osun state.

The visibly angry Ataoja also warned the chairman of Olorunda local government chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Kazeem Oyewale, also known as Asiri Eniba, against orchestrating violence in the town.

Ataoja who spoke in Yoruba language in the video clip of the incident obtained by our correspondent could be seen being restrained from speaking further by some of his chiefs.

However, he declared that action would be taken to stop violence in his domain.

He said, “Anybody who wants to cause violence in Osogbo will not know peace.

“Let Asiri Eniba (Kazeem Oyewale) know this fact. Not after bagging the Chieftaincy title of Ataoja, you will now be acting with impunity.

“I will take action to prevent violence in Osogbo. Oyetola and APC came to the palace, PDP did not disturb nor waylay them. Be careful, it is the PDP that installed me as a monarch. Leave me, let me talk.”

When contacted for more clarification on the attack referred to by the monarch, the Director, Media and Strategy of Osun PDP, Oladele Oluwabamiji, said some members of the party, heading to Ataoja’s palace to receive Adeleke were attacked around Isale Osun area of Osogbo.

According to him, APC orchestrated the attack to scare supporters of the party and prevented them from receiving Adeleke, who was visiting the Ataoja.

He further alleged, “The APC thugs attacked our supporters on their way to the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo around Isale-Osun area. We don’t know how many people got injured yet.

“Whenever APC is involved in any kind of criminal act, they will always want to put up alibi and create scenes.

“I have seen the video (of an attack) they were trying to push. If you subject it to Google verification, I am sure APC will be defeated in that argument.

“Our campaigns have been so lively, there is no brigandage, but what APC wants to present is the ugly scenario with which they were received when they entered into the palace of Ataoja, the last time the Governor visited the place.

“They know Adeleke will always pull a crowd and they don’t want that to happen.”

But while reacting to Oluwabamiji’s claim, Special Adviser to Osun state governor on Political Affairs, Sunday Akere, blamed the attack on factions in the group of hoodlums working for the PDP.

He then called on security agents to probe the said attack and stop PDP from unleashing more attacks on the masses before the July 16 governorship poll.

He said, “We are aware that the PDP created factions among the hoodlums working for them when they gave a particular group money at the detriment of the group that has been with them for a long time. No one does that and expects peace.

“Also, their governorship candidate openly declared ‘fire for fire’ mantra and this is an attestation that they are ready to unleash violence on the masses.”