The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over an alleged plan to arrest Rauf Aregbesola, its National Secretary, ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The party said it had received credible reports that security agencies were planning to arrest Aregbesola in the days leading to the election, describing the alleged move as a potential attempt to weaken its operations ahead of the poll.
“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, who governed Osun between 2010 and 2018 and later served as Minister of the Interior, is currently the national secretary of the opposition party.
The opposition party said any invitation by security agencies should follow due process, given Aregbesola’s political status and previous public offices.
“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.
It warned that arresting him 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 statement added.
ADC consequently urged the Federal Government and security agencies to avoid actions capable of undermining the credibility of the election.
“The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” Abdullahi said, urging authorities to uphold democratic principles.
“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 called on the APC-led Federal Government to avoid measures that could heighten political tension in the state.
“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” Abdullahi said.
