The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The opposition party claimed on Wednesday that it had received what it described as “credible reports” that security agencies were planning to arrest the former Osun governor in the days leading to the crucial poll.
The allegation has sparked fresh political tension in the state, where the ADC is one of the parties battling for control of Osun.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it was worried that the alleged arrest could be designed to weaken its campaign machinery and prevent Aregbesola from coordinating its activities before and during the election.
The ADC said it was taking the report seriously against the backdrop of what it described as a growing pattern of intimidation and harassment of opposition figures by the Federal Government.
“Given the pattern of intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions that has increasingly characterised the conduct of this government towards the opposition, we cannot afford to dismiss these reports,” Abdullahi said.
ADC: Arrest Before Poll Will Raise Questions
Aregbesola, who governed Osun between 2010 and 2018 before serving as Minister of the Interior, currently occupies the position of National Secretary in the ADC.
The party insisted that if any security agency had legitimate reasons to question him, it should follow due process rather than arrest him on the eve of an election.
According to the ADC, Aregbesola’s political position and his role in the party make the timing of any arrest particularly sensitive.
“Ogbeni Aregbesola is a former Governor of Osun State, a former Minister of the Federal Republic and the National Secretary of the opposition political party. If any security agency has a lawful reason to invite him, there are established procedures for doing so,” the party said.
The ADC warned that arresting its national secretary shortly before Saturday’s election would inevitably fuel speculation that the move was politically motivated.
“An arrest on the eve of an election in which his party is participating would invite only one reasonable conclusion: that the purpose is to prevent him from leading and coordinating the party’s election activities,” it said.
‘Eyes Of Nigerians Are On Osun’
The party consequently put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, urging them to steer clear of any action capable of undermining confidence in the election.
Abdullahi said the events surrounding the election would be closely watched by Nigerians and warned that explanations offered after the poll would not erase actions taken before it.
“The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” he said.
“Whatever happens before, during and after Saturday’s election will be judged not by the explanations offered afterwards, but by the actions taken now.”
The ADC also issued a direct warning to the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government against taking steps that could trigger unrest in the state.
“The APC Federal Government must be wary of doing anything that could plunge Osun State into needless crisis,” the party said.
It further called on the authorities to respect democratic principles and guarantee a level playing field for all parties participating in the election.
“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” Abdullahi added.
The allegation comes as political activities intensify across Osun ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with parties and their supporters stepping up efforts to mobilise voters in the final days of the campaign.
