Security agencies in Osun State have been placed on heightened alert following exchanges between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state government over plans for protests today targeting branches of a commercial bank across the state in relation to the ongoing crises in local government areas.

The dispute centres on claims by the APC that demonstrations were being prepared by pensioners at United Bank for Africa, UBA, branches in response to controversies surrounding federal allocations to local government councils.

The opposition party in the state in a statement by Kola Olabisi, its Director of Media and Information alleged that the protests were politically motivated and urged authorities to act pre-emptively.

Reacting swiftly, the Osun State Government dismissed the allegations as unfounded and politically driven.

The governor’s spokesperson, Molawale Rasheed, in a counter statement described the claims as spurious alarms intended to distract the public from broader governance issues.

“The administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke does not sponsor protests or agitations. Citizens are aware of their rights and can express grievances within the bounds of the law without prompting from government,” Rasheed said.

The state government stressed its commitment to due process and the rule of law, noting that it had consistently urged calm despite heightened political tensions.

He insisted that neither the governor nor members of his family had any involvement in organising demonstrations and accused the APC of attempting to politicise the grievances of workers and pensioners.

“The people of Osun are discerning and will not be misled by narratives designed to create fear,” he said.

The government also called on security agencies to remain vigilant, not against peaceful expression, but against any attempt to exploit public gatherings for violence.

“Security operatives should prevent any group from hijacking legitimate concerns to cause instability,” the spokesperson added.