The African Democratic Congress has alleged that security agencies may be planning to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The party said it became aware of the alleged plan through what it described as credible information, expressing concern that such a move could increase political tension in the state just days before voters head to the polls.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused authorities of allegedly targeting opposition figures through intimidation and harassment.
“The African Democratic Congress has received credible reports of plans to arrest our National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the days leading to Saturday’s Osun State election,” the statement read.
The party appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to exercise caution and avoid actions that could affect the credibility and peaceful conduct of the election.
Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and former Minister of Interior, is expected to be involved in the ADC’s activities as the party prepares for the poll.
ADC argued that if authorities have reasons to question its National Secretary, they should follow due process instead of taking steps that could be interpreted as politically driven.
“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,” the party said.
The opposition party said an arrest close to election day could be perceived as an attempt to restrict Aregbesola from carrying out his responsibilities within the party.
“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 ADC said.
The allegation comes against the backdrop of heightened political activity in Osun, where parties and other stakeholders have expressed concerns about possible intimidation, inflammatory comments, violence and the role of security agencies during the election.
According to the ADC, the alleged arrest plan should be viewed within the wider political atmosphere surrounding Saturday’s poll and the growing realignment among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We therefore put the Federal Government and the security agencies on notice. The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” Abdullahi said.
He said the actions of government and security agencies before, during and after the election would be closely scrutinised.
“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 warned.
The party also called on the Federal Government to avoid any action that could further destabilise the state.
“The APC Federal Government must be wary of doing anything that could plunge Osun State into needless crisis,” it said.
The ADC urged the government to uphold democratic principles and allow opposition parties to operate freely during the electoral process.
“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” the party said.
The opposition party said it would continue to monitor the situation while urging Nigerians to pay attention to developments surrounding the election.