Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, has embarked on a mission to broker peace between Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and former Senate spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru. The hostility between the two started during the Eid el Kabir celebration in June at the Muslim praying ground in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. The governor’s protocol officer had informed Basiru that the front row where he was sitting was reserved for the governor and he was told to move to another sitting position.
Basiru had moved to another space in the front row but was still instructed to move to another sitting position which some supporters of the senator opposed. A scuffle developed between their supporters and the governor left the praying ground in anger. After the drama, the two engaged in a back and forth over the incident while laying accusing fingers at each other.
A few months after the altercation, the Ataoja of Osogbo, stepped in and promised to be apolitical and embraced the two political gladiators while ending the rancour between them. The traditional ruler raised a reconciliation panel to appease the aggrieved parties. He also held a meeting with some of his chiefs, and religious leaders on how to resolve the rancour. The committee has since visited the two parties and begged them to sheathe their sword.
