Osun Poll: ADC Sounds Alarm Over Alleged Plot to Arrest Aregbesola

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over an alleged plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, just days before the Osun State governorship election.

The opposition party said it had received what it described as credible information suggesting that security agencies could move against the former Osun State governor ahead of Saturday’s election.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

According to the party, the reported plan is troubling, particularly against the backdrop of what it described as increasing intimidation, harassment and alleged misuse of government institutions against opposition parties.

“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,” Abdullahi said.

Aregbesola served as governor of Osun State between 2010 and 2018 before becoming Minister of the Interior. He currently serves as the National Secretary of the ADC.

ADC Demands Due Process

While acknowledging that security agencies have the authority to invite Aregbesola if there is a legitimate reason, the ADC insisted that any such action must follow due process.

The party noted that Aregbesola’s previous positions as governor and federal minister, as well as his current role as a national officer of an opposition party, made the timing of any possible arrest particularly sensitive.

The ADC argued that taking its national secretary into custody immediately before an election could disrupt the party’s ability to coordinate its campaign and election-day operations.

The party warned that an arrest at such a critical time could raise serious questions about the motivation behind the action.

Party Warns Against Election Tension

The ADC also appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to avoid any action that could undermine confidence in the electoral process or trigger tension across Osun State.

“The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” Abdullahi said, stressing that the conduct of authorities before, during and after the election would be judged by their actions rather than explanations given afterwards.

The opposition party further cautioned the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government against taking steps that could plunge the state into what it described as an avoidable political crisis.

The ADC maintained that Nigeria remains a democracy and urged the government to respect democratic principles as voters prepare to head to the polls on Saturday.