ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola
African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that there are plans to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the days leading up to Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, warning that such a move could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said it had received what it described as “credible reports” of an alleged plan to detain the former Osun State governor before the poll.
According to the party, the reported move fits what it called a growing pattern of intimidation and harassment targeted at 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 added:
“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.”
The ADC argued that Aregbesola, who also served as Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, is a prominent political figure whose status should be respected under the law.
The statement maintained that if any security agency had legitimate reasons to question him, established legal procedures should be followed instead of carrying out an arrest close to election day.
“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 further warned that arresting its National Secretary on the eve of the election would inevitably 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.”
The ADC called on the Federal Government and security agencies to exercise restraint, stressing that the conduct of all stakeholders before, during and after the election would come under public scrutiny.
“We therefore put the Federal Government and the security agencies on notice. The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun. 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 opposition party also cautioned the Federal Government against taking any action that could heighten political tension in the state.
“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.”
