There was pandemonium in Osogbo, capital of Osun State, on Monday when some suspected gunmen allegedly attacked a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), identified as Alhaji Fatai Oyedele, popularly known as Diekola while canvassing for votes ahead of Thursday’s governorship rerun poll at Alekuwodo area of city.

Though details of the alleged attack were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, credible sources informed the newsmen the suspected gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare away passerby and residents before attacking Oyedele around Adewale Street, Alekuwodo.

The incident, which occurred around 11.30 am caused panic in the area as traders, shop owners and passerby scampered to safety to avoid being hit by stray bullets from the guns of the hoodlums.

According to one of the sources, Oyedele, who was allegedly attacked with axe and other dangerous weapons sustained deep cuts on his head, while two of his aides, who were with him in his vehicle were allegedly shot. He was said to have been taken away in a van, belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) after the attack.

The source further explained that the PDP chieftain was canvassing for votes at Ward 5, Unit 17 around Adewale Street, which is parts of the wards, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to conduct a rerun poll this week’s Thursday to determine the actual winner of the September 22 governorship poll.

According to Nigerian Tribune, one of the allies of Oyedele and a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Osun State, Mr Sunday Akere, said attempts to reach Oyedele after the violent attack had been unsuccessful as calls put through to his cell phone indicated that it was switched off.

However, efforts made to get the reaction of the Police over the attack failed to yield results as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, did not respond to calls put through to his mobile phone, neither did he reply text message forwarded to him.

•Sourced from a Tribune report