Osun State Government has accused the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting a protest to disrupt public order during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled one-day visit to the state on Saturday.
In a statement on Friday, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, claimed the government uncovered a “sinister plan” by the APC to stage a self-sponsored protest and blame any unrest on Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration. He described the alleged scheme as a tactic to blackmail the state government and create tension ahead of the presidential visit. Alimi urged residents to remain calm and warned specifically against gathering at Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo, the venue for the president’s engagement, to avoid being caught in any “self-sponsored protest.”
The commissioner also sought to distance other political parties from the alleged plot, stating that neither the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the federal level nor the state-level Accord Party were involved. He referenced ongoing disputes between the state and federal governments over withheld local government allocations, asserting that such matters would be resolved through legal channels. Alimi further alleged the purported protest was a “diversionary tactic” aimed at painting the Adeleke administration negatively as political activities intensify ahead of the August 8, 2026, governorship election. He expressed confidence that the current administration enjoys broad public support and suggested the APC’s anxiety over the forthcoming election might be driving such actions.
The statement also touched on recent reported defections of federal lawmakers to the APC, with Alimi downplaying their electoral significance.
The APC in Osun State has categorically rejected the allegations as baseless. In a separate statement, the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, described the claim as “spurious” and a fabrication, urging the public to disregard it. Olabisi stated that President Tinubu’s visit was a source of joy for party members and called on security agencies, including the state Commissioner of Police, to remain vigilant and ensure law and order are maintained.
The exchange highlights the political tensions in Osun State, a key battleground, as the country gears up for the 2026 governorship election. Both sides have appealed to security agencies for protection, with the state government warning of a planned protest and the opposition denying any such intention. The successful conduct of the presidential visit now hinges on de-escalating these accusations and ensuring peaceful assemblies.
