There was palpable fear in Osun State on Wednesday following the sudden collapse of a podium where guests, including Governor Ademola Adeleke, were seated at a political rally held in Ijebu-Jesa. A 30-second video captured the exact moment the platform caved in while prominent officials were standing on it. Alongside the governor, the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, were all on the stage when the structural failure occurred. The video showed that musical performances were ongoing when the event anchor brought the session to a close and was about to introduce the next item on the programme just before the structure gave way.
An anonymous source present at the venue disclosed that the incident briefly disrupted the proceedings, but noted that activities resumed after security operatives successfully cleared the rubble and evacuated the affected persons. Speaking on the situation, the source stated, "The incident happened. The event is the inauguration of the Imole canvassers for Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency. The event was held in Ijebu-Jesa, and the crowd was a bit much. The governor and some members of his cabinet were seated in that part of the podium that collapsed. No casualty. The event resumed, and the governor addressed the gathering after the incident,"
Reacting to the incident, the Deputy Spokesperson to the Governor, Oladele Bamiji, downplayed the severity of the collapse, insisting that the accident was not as serious as it was being portrayed by some observers. He clarified that the governor and his cabinet members were completely unharmed and able to carry out their scheduled activities for the day. Bamiji said, "The event thereafter went on smoothly with the governor and members of his cabinet. No injuries. Had there been any fatal accident, the event would not have continued. There were no casualties. The governor, after leaving the venue, went to another event in Odo-Otin Local Government,"
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