ADC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plan to Arrest Aregbesola

ADC alleges a plan to arrest National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola ahead of the Osun governorship election and urges security agencies to respect democratic processes.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

The party said it had received what it described as “credible reports” of plans to arrest the former Osun State governor in the days leading to the poll.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, and shared on X on Wednesday, the ADC said it was concerned that the alleged arrest could be aimed at disrupting its election activities.

Abdullahi said the party could not dismiss the reports, citing what it described as a pattern of intimidation, harassment and alleged misuse of state institutions against opposition figures.

Aregbesola served as governor of Osun State from 2010 to 2018 and later as Minister of the Interior. He is currently the National Secretary of the ADC.

The party said any security agency with lawful reasons to question Aregbesola should follow established procedures for inviting him.

It argued that arresting the former governor on the eve of an election in which his party is participating would raise questions about the motive behind such an action.

According to the ADC, such an arrest could prevent Aregbesola from coordinating and leading the party’s election activities.

The party consequently put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, urging them to avoid actions that could undermine the credibility of Saturday’s election.

Abdullahi said Nigerians were watching developments in Osun and would judge the credibility of the election by the actions taken before, during and after the poll.

The ADC also warned the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government against taking any action that could trigger political tension in the state.

The party called on the government to respect democratic principles and ensure that political parties and their supporters are allowed to participate freely in the election.