The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm, alleging plots by the federal authorities to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The party, in a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said it had received “credible reports” of plans to arrest Aregbesola in the days leading to the election.
The ADC alleged that the development was part of a broader pattern of “intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions” against opposition parties by the Federal Government.
The party said it was particularly concerned because Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and former Minister of the Federal Republic, is currently serving as the National Secretary of the opposition party.
“If any security agency has a lawful reason to invite him, there are established procedures for doing so,” the party said.
It warned that arresting Aregbesola on the eve of an election in which the ADC is participating would create the impression that the move was intended to prevent him from leading and coordinating the party’s election activities.
“We therefore put the Federal Government and the security agencies on notice. The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” the party stated.
The ADC said whatever happens before, during and after Saturday’s election would be judged not by explanations offered afterwards, but by the actions of government and security agencies in the days leading to the poll.
The opposition party also cautioned the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government against taking any action capable of plunging Osun State into what it described as a “needless crisis.”
“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” the party added.
(The Whistler)