• Police commence investigation into alleged shooting incident, murder in Osogbo •Governor pledges full scholarships for children, dependants of those who lost their lives • Says no election, political office, ambition is worth the life of any citizen •Sule: Abuja politicians responsible for APC defeat in Osun poll • Civil society urges all stakeholders to build on positive lessons from Osun election Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Suspected thugs yesterday attacked the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State at the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Laaroye II, in the state capital, shortly after the governor received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Osun State Police Command, last night, said it had commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident, which involved shooting and killing, by “suspected hoodlums at Itaolokan area of Osogbo”. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, announced this in a statement. Meanwhile, Adeleke’s Certificate of Return was presented to him by Professor Kunle Ajayi, the National Commissioner representing the South-west, and currently supervising electoral activities in Ogun, Ondo, and Osun states. Speaking after the presentation ceremony, Adeleke said his family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for the children and dependants of those who lost their lives in the violent incidents that preceded the August 15 governorship election in the state. In a related development, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State said All Progressives Congress (APC) lost the governorship election in Osun State due to the activities of “Abuja politicians” who descended on the state days before the poll. Sule stated this at a press briefing in Lafia. However, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room urged all stakeholders to build on the positive lessons from the Osun State election. In its final statement after the election, the group also advised that identified weaknesses from the exercise should be urgently addressed. Eye witnesses said regarding the attack on Adeleke that after leaving the INEC office in Osogbo, he was sighted about 3:15pm as his convoy of about 30 vehicles passed through the Olaiya axis of the state capital. He was said to be on his way to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo to formally present his Certificate of Return to the monarch and express his appreciation following his victory at the governorship election. Sources informed THISDAY that suspected hoodlums, who learnt of the governor’s planned visit to the palace, had been loitering around the Oja-Oba/Ita-Olookan area ahead of his arrival. It was learnt that the attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna bus and positioned themselves around the area while Adeleke was at the palace of the Ataoja. Sources said the governor had barely concluded his visit and was preparing to leave the palace when security personnel reportedly noticed suspicious movements around the area. According to the sources, Adeleke was advised not to leave through the same entrance he had entered the palace, apparently, as a precautionary measure. The governor subsequently exited through another route and entered his official vehicle. It was shortly after he entered the vehicle that the suspected hoodlums opened fire, firing sporadic gunshots into the air and throwing the area into panic. The development created a tense situation around the palace as security personnel attached to the governor immediately engaged the attackers in an attempt to protect Adeleke and members of his entourage. Sources said the governor’s security details engaged the suspected hoodlums for several minutes, during which the governor and his convoy were temporarily prevented from leaving the area. The sources, who disclosed the development to THISDAY, described the situation as a brief hostage-like standoff, as the governor remained within the secured convoy while his security personnel battled to push back the attackers. The hoodlums reportedly fled the scene after they were overpowered by the governor’s security details. It was equally gathered that the exchange of gunfire resulted in damage to the gate of Ataoja’s palace. Adeleke Receives His Certificate of Return Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from INEC following his victory at the August 15 governorship election. The certificate was presented to him by National Commissioner representing the South-west, Professor Kunle Ajayi. Speaking after the presentation, the governor stated, “It is deeply painful that any family should hav
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