|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Osun State Government has accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting a protest to trigger unrest during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state.
In a strongly worded statement on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, alleged that the APC was orchestrating what he described as a “self-sponsored protest” designed to disrupt public order and pin the blame on the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Alimi claimed the state government had uncovered a “sinister plan” aimed at blackmailing the Adeleke administration and creating tension ahead of the President’s one-day official engagement in Osun.
He stressed that the government would not succumb to intimidation or clandestine political maneuvers intended to destabilise the state.
“As a government, we wish to let members of the public, particularly the peace-loving people of Osun, be wary of this grand plan already put in place and waiting to be hatched tomorrow while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visits Osun State,” Alimi said.
The commissioner clarified that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party had no connection with the alleged protest, despite lingering disputes over withheld local government allocations.
He expressed confidence that matters relating to local government administration would be resolved through due legal processes, insisting that justice would ultimately prevail.
Alimi further alleged that the purported protest was a calculated diversionary tactic to discredit the Adeleke-led government as political activities gather momentum ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election.
He specifically warned residents to avoid Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo — the designated venue for the President’s visit — to prevent being caught in any potential unrest.
The commissioner also claimed that the APC was jittery over the forthcoming poll, arguing that the current administration continues to command broad-based support across the state. He downplayed recent political realignments, including reported defections of federal lawmakers, describing some of the expected new entrants into the APC as politicians with limited electoral influence.
However, the Osun chapter of the APC swiftly dismissed the allegations as baseless.
In a counter-statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the party denied planning any protest against the President’s visit.
Olabisi described the accusation as “spurious” and urged the public to disregard what he termed a fabrication. He maintained that Tinubu’s visit was a moment of pride and celebration for party faithful in the state.
The APC spokesman also called on security agencies, particularly the state Commissioner of Police, to heighten vigilance and guarantee law and order throughout the President’s visit.
As tensions simmer, all eyes now turn to Osun to see whether the high-profile visit proceeds without incident amid the escalating war of words between the state government and the opposition.
