The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over alleged plans to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Wednesday, said it had received what it described as “credible reports” of a plan to arrest the former Osun State governor in the days leading to the election.
The ADC alleged that the reported plan was part of a pattern of intimidation, harassment and alleged misuse of state institutions against opposition figures.
According to the party, Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and former Minister of the Federal Republic, is currently serving as the National Secretary of the opposition party and would be expected to play a key role in coordinating its activities during the election.
The party said it would not dismiss the reports, given what it described as the prevailing political climate.
“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 statement said.
The ADC argued that arresting Aregbesola on the eve of an election in which the party is participating could be interpreted as an attempt to prevent him from coordinating 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,” it added.
The party consequently put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, urging them to exercise restraint ahead of Saturday’s poll.
It said the conduct of the authorities before, during and after the election would be closely watched by Nigerians and judged by their actions rather than explanations offered after the event.
“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 ADC said.
The opposition party also warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government against actions that could trigger tension or undermine the peaceful conduct of the election.
“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,” it said.
