Just in: Gov. Adeleke narrowly escapes death as campaign podium collapses + Video

There was palpable fear after Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, his sister, Chief Modupe Adeleke, and several top government officials narrowly escaped what could have been a major tragedy when an overcrowded political campaign stage collapsed beneath them.

The incident occurred during the official inauguration of the Governor’s re-election canvassers, known as the “Imole Canvassers,” held in Ijebu-Jesa, Ori-Ade Local Government Area, Osun State.

The governor had attended the inauguration with his entourage who were received by the spokesperson of his re-election campaign council and Accord candidate for Obokun/Oriade federal constituency, Barr. Pelumi Olajengbesi.

The stage was overcrowded with presence of many appointees and security operatives on the stage.

While the programme was going on, Adeleke stood up from his chair to cheer his mammoth supporters.

As he waved to supporters, several persons on the stage also stood up and joined in the excitement.

The movement reportedly caused the already crowded platform to shake before it eventually collapsed, throwing the governor, his sister, his Chief of Staff, campaign officials and other dignitaries to the ground.

The incident was captured in a video sighted by The Eagle Online on Thursday.

In the footage, supporters and security operatives rushed to rescue the governor and other affected persons from the collapsed structure.

Some of members of Accord Party and officials sustaining various degrees of injuries but the condition of the governor is yet to be ascertained after security operatives helped him and other dignitaries leave the ruined stage.

The collapse disrupted the event and forced organisers to hurriedly bring the programme to an end, as there was no longer a safe platform from which the ceremony could continue.

Although the governor was quickly assisted by his security detail, the incident created a tense moment at the venue as party loyalists struggled to understand what had happened.

As of the time of filing this report, there had been no detailed official statement on the governor’s condition or the number of persons injured.