The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over an alleged plan by security agencies to arrest its National Secretary and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The party said it had received what it described as “credible reports” indicating that security operatives could move against Aregbesola in the days leading to the election.
National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement posted on X on Wednesday.
Abdullahi said the party was concerned that any arrest of Aregbesola shortly before the election could disrupt its preparations and undermine his ability to coordinate the party’s activities during the poll.
He said the reports could not be ignored given what he described as a pattern of intimidation, harassment and alleged misuse of state institutions against opposition parties.
“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 State from 2010 to 2018, later served as Minister of the Interior. He currently serves as the National Secretary of the ADC, which is participating in the governorship election.
The opposition party said it would not oppose any lawful invitation extended to Aregbesola by security agencies where there were genuine reasons for questioning him, but insisted that due process must be followed.
“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.
According to the ADC, arresting its National Secretary on the eve of an election in which the party is participating could raise questions about the motive behind such an action.
“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 stated.
The party consequently appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
“The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” Abdullahi 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 cautioned the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government against taking measures that could deepen political tensions in Osun State.
“The APC Federal Government must be wary of doing anything that could plunge Osun State into needless crisis,” the party warned.
It further called on the government to respect the rights of opposition parties and allow them to conduct their lawful campaign and election activities without intimidation.
“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” Abdullahi added.
The allegation comes as political parties intensify preparations for the Osun governorship election, with security arrangements and the conduct of political actors remaining major issues ahead of the poll.
The ADC did not provide details of the alleged reports or name the security agency it believes may be planning Aregbesola’s arrest.
There was also no immediate response from the Federal Government or any security agency to the allegation in the material provided.
