ADC Unveils Plan To Arrest Aregbesola Ahead Of Osun Guber Poll
By Aliyu Oyewole
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The party, in a statement issued on Wednesday night by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said it had received what it described as “credible reports” of plans to arrest the former Osun governor days before the election.
Abdullahi expressed concern that the alleged move could be politically motivated, citing what he described as a pattern of intimidation, harassment and alleged misuse of state institutions against opposition figures.
“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,” he said.
The ADC spokesperson said the party would not object to any lawful invitation extended to Aregbesola by security agencies, provided such action followed established legal procedures.
However, he warned that arresting the former governor on the eve of an election in which the ADC is participating could be interpreted as an attempt to restrict his role in the party’s election activities.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
He called on the Federal Government and security agencies to exercise restraint, warning against actions that could heighten tensions in the state ahead of the poll.
“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,” he added.
Abdullahi further urged the Federal Government to 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,” he said.
The allegation comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with rival parties and their supporters trading accusations of intimidation, harassment and other forms of electoral misconduct.
The ADC did not provide details of the alleged plan or identify any security agency it believed was preparing to arrest Aregbesola.
