By John Dike, Osogbo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have exchanged sharp accusations over an alleged plan to stage protests at branches of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), further heightening political tension in the state.
The PDP, in a statement issued Tuesday, dismissed claims by the opposition that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke was sponsoring demonstrations involving so-called “fake pensioners,” describing the allegation as false, provocative and disrespectful to senior citizens.
According to the PDP, there is no plan or authorisation for any protest at banking institutions, insisting the APC was merely attempting to create panic and drag security agencies into partisan politics.
IT argued that UBA, as a corporate organisation with established communication channels, does not require political parties to speak on its behalf. It added that Osun State has remained peaceful under the current administration, with governance proceeding without disruption.
The party also accused the opposition of trying to divert attention from controversies surrounding local government administration and allocation of funds, maintaining that residents would not be swayed by what it described as alarmist narratives.
The APC had earlier alleged that individuals, described as a mix of pensioners and hired protesters were being mobilised in Osogbo to stage demonstrations at UBA branches over the payment of federal allocations to reinstated APC local government chairmen and councillors.
In a statement by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the opposition party urged security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to take preventive steps, warning that the protests could degenerate into unrest or attacks on public facilities.
The exchange underscores the deepening rivalry between the two dominant parties in Osun, particularly over control of local government structures and financial flows, with both sides accusing each other of misinformation and political brinkmanship.
Observers say the development reflects heightened political sensitivity in the state, while security agencies have yet to issue any formal advisory on the alleged protests.
