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 governorship election, warning that any such action could heighten tension in the state.
In a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it had received ‘credible reports’ of plans to arrest Aregbesola in the days leading to the election.
The ADC said the allegation was particularly concerning against the backdrop of what it described as a pattern of ‘intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions’ against opposition parties by the Federal Government.
Aregbesola, a former Osun State governor and former Minister of the Federal Republic, is currently the National Secretary of the ADC and is expected to play a role in coordinating the party’s activities during the election.
The party said if any security agency had lawful grounds to invite Aregbesola, established procedures should be followed, arguing that arresting him on the eve of an election in which the ADC is participating could be interpreted as an attempt to disrupt his role in the party’s election activities.
‘We therefore put the Federal Government and the security agencies on notice. The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,’ the statement said.
The ADC urged security agencies to exercise restraint and warned the Federal Government against actions that could trigger tension or undermine the electoral process.
‘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.
The opposition party also urged the Federal Government to avoid actions capable of plunging Osun State into what it described as a needless crisis, stressing that Nigeria remained a democracy and that all political actors should respect democratic processes ahead of the poll.