ADC raises concern over possible arrest of Aregbesola

The African Democratic Congress has raised concern about a reported plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, before Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

The party claimed it received “credible reports” about plans to arrest the former governor of Osun State as the election approaches.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on X on Wednesday, the ADC expressed worries that the alleged arrest could disrupt the party’s election activities.

“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, who was governor of Osun State from 2010 to 2018 and later served as Minister of the Interior, is now the National Secretary of the ADC.

The party stated that there are proper procedures that should be followed if any security agency has valid reasons to question its national secretary.

“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,” it said.

The ADC pointed out that arresting Aregbesola just before an election where the party is active would raise questions about the true motive behind such an arrest.

“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 statement said.

The party then alerted the Federal Government and security agencies, asking them to avoid actions that could harm the credibility of the election.

“The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” Abdullahi said.

“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 also warned the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government against any actions that could lead to political tension in the state.

“The APC Federal Government must be wary of doing anything that could plunge Osun State into needless crisis,” the party stated.

The ADC further urged the government to respect democratic values and allow political parties to participate freely in the election.

“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” Abdullahi said.