The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over alleged plans to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s Osun State election.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said it had received “credible reports” of plans by security agencies to arrest the former Osun State governor in the days leading to the election.
The allegation comes amid heightened political tension in the state as political parties and their candidates intensify preparations for the poll.
The ADC said it was particularly concerned about the reported arrest plan because of what it described as a growing pattern of “intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions” against opposition parties, reportedly, by the Federal Government.
“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 party said.
Aregbesola, who served as governor of Osun State from 2010 to 2018, is currently the National Secretary of the ADC. His political involvement in the state makes him one of the prominent figures in the party’s campaign and election mobilisation efforts.
According to the ADC, there would be no justification for an arrest carried out on the eve of an election in which the party is participating, particularly if established legal procedures for inviting him are not followed.
The party noted that Aregbesola had previously served as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and remains a senior political figure.
“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 statement said.
It added: “If any security agency has a lawful reason to invite him, there are established procedures for doing so.”
The ADC argued that arresting Aregbesola immediately before the election could have serious political implications, alleging that such a move could be intended to prevent him from coordinating the party’s activities during 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 party said.
The opposition party subsequently put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, warning that their actions in the days surrounding the election would be closely monitored by Nigerians.
“We therefore put the Federal Government and the security agencies on notice. The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” the ADC declared.
The party further warned that events surrounding the election would be judged by actions taken before the poll rather than explanations that might be offered afterwards.
“Whatever happens before, during and after Saturday’s election will be judged not by the explanations offered afterwards, but by the actions taken now,” it said.
The ADC also appealed to the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to exercise restraint, warning that any action perceived as politically motivated could further heighten tensions in Osun State.
“The APC Federal Government must be wary of doing anything that could plunge Osun State into needless crisis,” the party said.
It added: “Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday.”
The party did not identify the specific security agency allegedly planning Aregbesola’s arrest, nor did it disclose the source or details of the reports it described as credible.
The allegation also comes at a politically sensitive period, with Saturday’s election expected to attract significant attention amid concerns over security, political rivalry and the need for a peaceful electoral process.
The ADC urged the authorities to ensure that security agencies operate within the law and do not take actions capable of undermining the credibility of the election or restricting the ability of opposition parties to participate fully in the democratic process.
As of the time of the statement, there was no response from the Federal Government or any security agency confirming or denying the alleged plan to arrest Aregbesola.