- ADC alleges a plan to arrest Rauf Aregbesola before the Osun election
- The party urges security agencies to follow due process
- It warns that any arrest could heighten political tension
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that security agencies are planning to arrest its national Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the party said it received what it described as credible information about a possible arrest of the former Osun State governor in the days leading to the poll, warning that such an action could increase political tension in the state.
EDITOR’S PICK
- How Lagos Achieved 57.4% Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate
- Shaibu Lists Nigeria’s Biggest Security Challenges
- Vote, Protect Your Mandate, Governor Adeleke Urges Residents Ahead of August 15 Polls.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concern over what the party described as a growing pattern of intimidation and harassment of opposition figures.
According to the party, any attempt to arrest Aregbesola shortly before the election could raise questions about the motive behind such an action, particularly given his position as a senior official of the opposition party.
“The African Democratic Congress 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 statement said.
The party called on the Federal Government and security agencies to act with restraint and ensure that their activities do not disrupt the electoral process or undermine confidence in the poll.
Aregbesola, who previously served as governor of Osun State and later as Minister of Interior, is expected to be involved in the ADC’s preparations and coordination during the election.
The party maintained that if security agencies had legitimate reasons to question him, they should follow due process rather than take steps that could be interpreted as politically motivated.
“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,” the ADC said.
It added that established legal procedures were available to any agency seeking to invite or question the former governor.
The ADC argued that arresting its national secretary immediately before an election in which the party is participating could prevent him from carrying out his responsibilities and create unnecessary suspicion around the electoral process.
“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 stated.
The allegation comes against the backdrop of heightened political activity in Osun ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. Political parties have intensified their campaigns, while concerns over security, inflammatory statements and possible electoral violence have also emerged.
The ADC said the alleged development should be considered within the wider political atmosphere surrounding the election and the growing competition among political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party also warned the authorities that Nigerians were closely monitoring events in Osun and would judge the conduct of security agencies by their actions before, during and after the election.
“We therefore put the Federal Government and the security agencies on notice. The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC further appealed to the Federal Government not to take measures that could aggravate tensions or threaten the peaceful conduct of the election.
It urged authorities to uphold democratic principles and respect the rights of opposition parties to campaign, mobilise supporters and participate freely in the electoral process.
“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” the party said.
The opposition party said it would continue to monitor the situation and urged Nigerians to remain attentive to developments surrounding the Osun governorship election.
FURTHER READING
