The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over an alleged plot to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State
The party disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, claiming it had received “credible reports” of a possible arrest of the former Osun State governor before the election.
According to the ADC, the alleged move is worrying because it comes amid what the party described as a pattern of “intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions” against opposition parties.
Aregbesola governed Osun State from 2010 to 2018 and later served as Minister of the Interior. He is currently the National Secretary of the ADC.
The party acknowledged that security agencies could lawfully invite Aregbesola if they had legitimate reasons, but stressed that any invitation should be carried out according to established procedures.
The ADC further argued that arresting its National Secretary shortly before an election could be viewed as an attempt to disrupt his role in coordinating the party’s activities and electoral operations.
It therefore urged the Federal Government and security agencies to avoid any action capable of undermining the credibility of the election or creating tension across Osun State.
The party also warned the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government against taking steps that could plunge the state into what it described as a needless crisis.
Abdullahi said:
“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.”
“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.”
“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 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 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.”
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