The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over an alleged plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it had received what it described as “credible reports” of moves to arrest the former Osun State governor in the days leading up to the election.
The party expressed concern that the alleged move could disrupt its campaign and election-day operations, particularly Aregbesola’s role in coordinating the party’s activities.
“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.
Aregbesola governed Osun State between 2010 and 2018 and later served as Minister of the Interior. He currently serves as the National Secretary of the ADC.
The party said any invitation extended to Aregbesola by security agencies should comply with due process, considering his status as a former governor, former federal minister and a senior opposition figure.
“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 statement said.
The ADC warned that arresting Aregbesola shortly before the election could be interpreted as an attempt to weaken the party’s participation in the poll.
“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,” the party added.
The opposition party consequently called on the Federal Government and security agencies to avoid actions that could undermine the credibility of the election or further heighten political tensions in Osun.
“The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” Abdullahi said, urging authorities to uphold democratic principles.
He added that the events surrounding the election would be judged by the actions of the authorities before, during and after the poll.
“Whatever happens before, during and after Saturday’s election will be judged not by the explanations offered afterwards, but by the actions taken now,” he said.
The ADC also urged the APC-led Federal Government to exercise restraint and ensure that all political parties are allowed to participate freely in the electoral process.
“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” Abdullahi said.
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