The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged a plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC had received “credible reports” of plans to arrest the former Osun governor.
Abdullahi said the party was concerned about the alleged plan given what it described as a pattern of intimidation and harassment targeting opposition figures.
“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,” he said.
The ADC spokesperson said that if any security agency had legitimate reasons to question Aregbesola, it should do so through established legal procedures.
He said arresting Aregbesola shortly before the election could be interpreted as an attempt to prevent him from coordinating the party’s activities during the poll.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
He urged the Federal Government and security agencies to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could heighten tensions in Osun.
“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,” he said.
Abdullahi added that the government should avoid measures that could trigger a crisis in the state.
“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” he said.
Tensions have increased in Osun ahead of the governorship election, with political parties and their supporters trading accusations of intimidation and harassment.
The ADC did not disclose details of the alleged arrest plan or name any security agency it believes may be behind it.
