Security Heightened in Osun After Political Clash Over Planned Bank Protests
Security agencies in Nigeria’s Osun State have been placed on high alert following a public dispute between the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state government regarding alleged plans for protests at United Bank for Africa (UBA) branches.
The confrontation stems from APC claims that demonstrations organized by pensioners are being prepared at UBA locations across the state. The opposition party alleges the protests are politically motivated and connected to ongoing controversies over the direct payment of federal allocations to reinstated local government council chairmen and councillors.
In a statement issued in Osogbo, the APC, through its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, urged the state government to distance itself from what it described as an organized attempt to incite public unrest. The party said intelligence indicated the protests could begin as early as Monday. It argued that the allocation dispute is a legal matter already before the courts and should not be escalated to street protests, warning that such actions risk public peace. The APC specifically cautioned against involving elderly pensioners in politically charged demonstrations.
The state government swiftly rejected the allegations. Governor Ademola Adeleke’s spokesperson, Molawale Rasheed, described the APC’s claims as “spurious alarms” aimed at diverting attention from governance issues. He asserted that the administration does not sponsor protests and that citizens exercise their rights independently. Rasheed accused the APC of exploiting the grievances of workers and pensioners for political gain and emphasized the government’s commitment to the rule of law and calm.
Both sides called for security vigilance but with differing emphases. The APC demanded police intervention to prevent the protests and maintain order. The government, while urging security agencies to remain vigilant, stressed that their role should be to prevent any group from hijacking legitimate concerns for violence, not to suppress peaceful expression.
The standoff highlights the persistent political tensions in Osun State and places security operatives in a position to manage potential unrest while navigating competing narratives from major political actors. The situation underscores the sensitivity around local government finances and the federal allocation formula, a long-standing source of conflict in Nigerian state politics. Authorities are now on alert to ensure any public gatherings remain peaceful amid the charged political atmosphere.
