A moment of tension briefly disrupted a political gathering in Osun State on Wednesday after a podium collapsed during a rally in Ijebu Jesa, where Governor Ademola Adeleke and other top government officials were seated.
A short video circulating from the event showed the platform giving way while performances were still ongoing. The programme anchor had just brought the entertainment segment to a close and was preparing to announce the next activity when the structure suddenly caved in, sending those seated on it into confusion.
Those on the platform included the governor, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Speaker of the House of Assembly Adewale Egbedun, and the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi. The collapse caused a temporary disruption as attendees reacted in shock.
A source at the venue, who asked not to be named, said the incident occurred during the inauguration of canvassers for the Obokun and Oriade Federal Constituency. According to the source, the crowd had grown larger than expected, putting pressure on the stage structure.
The source added that security personnel quickly stepped in to evacuate those affected from the damaged section before the programme resumed. Despite the incident, no injuries or casualties were recorded, and the governor later addressed the gathering.
Reacting to concerns, the Deputy Spokesperson to the Governor, Oladele Bamiji, downplayed the severity of the incident, saying the event continued without interruption after the brief scare.
He explained that if there had been any serious injury, the programme would not have proceeded. He also confirmed that Governor Adeleke left the venue afterward to attend another engagement in Odo Otin Local Government Area.
