The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over what it described as credible reports of plans by security agencies to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concern that Aregbesola could be targeted in the final days before the August 15 poll, alleging that such a move would form part of a broader pattern of intimidation, harassment and alleged misuse of state institutions against opposition figures.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has received credible reports of plans to arrest our National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the days leading to Saturday’s Osun State election,” the party said.
“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.”
Aregbesola, a former Governor of Osun State and former Minister of Interior, currently serves as the National Secretary of the ADC and remains a prominent figure within the opposition party.
The ADC said it was not opposed to lawful investigations or invitations by security agencies but insisted that any attempt to question Aregbesola must be conducted in accordance with established legal procedures.
“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 stated.
The party, however, warned that arresting its National Secretary immediately before an election in which the ADC is participating could have serious political consequences and raise questions about the intention 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,” the ADC said.
The opposition party subsequently placed the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, urging them to avoid any action capable of undermining the credibility of the Osun election or escalating political tensions in the state.
“We therefore put the Federal Government and the security agencies on notice. The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” it said.
The ADC further warned that the conduct of government authorities before, during and after the election would be judged by their actions rather than by explanations that may be offered after the polls.
“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 party said.
It also cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government against taking measures that could trigger a political crisis in Osun State, stressing that the country’s democratic institutions must be protected.
“The APC Federal Government must be wary of doing anything that could plunge Osun State into needless crisis. Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” the ADC stated.
The alarm comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions surrounding the August 15 governorship election, with opposition parties and civil society groups expressing concerns over alleged intimidation, threats and the possibility of electoral violence.
The ADC urged security agencies to remain professional, operate strictly within the law and ensure that all political parties, candidates and their representatives are allowed to participate freely in the electoral process.
The party maintained that the credibility of the Osun election would depend not only on the conduct of voters and political parties but also on the neutrality, professionalism and restraint demonstrated by state institutions before and during the poll.