The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that there are plans to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday's Osun State election, warning that such a move could undermine the credibility of the electoral process and trigger unnecessary political tension.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC had received what it described as "credible reports" of an impending arrest of the former Osun State governor in the days leading to the election.
The opposition party argued that, against the backdrop of what it called a growing pattern of intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions against opposition figures, the reported plan could not be dismissed as mere speculation.
According to the ADC, Aregbesola's status as a former governor, former minister and the National Secretary of a major opposition party makes any attempt to arrest him on the eve of a crucial election highly suspicious.
The party maintained that if any security agency had legitimate reasons to question or investigate Aregbesola, due process should be followed through lawful invitation rather than an arrest timed to coincide with the election.
"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 ADC consequently placed the Federal Government and security agencies "on notice," warning that Nigerians and the international community were closely monitoring developments in Osun State ahead of the poll.
The party stressed that the credibility of the election would be judged not only by events on election day but also by the conduct of government institutions in the days preceding the vote.
Calling for restraint, the ADC urged the APC-led Federal Government to avoid actions capable of provoking political instability or casting doubt on the integrity of the electoral process.
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles, the party insisted that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy where the rule of law, political freedoms and the rights of opposition parties must be protected.
The statement comes amid heightened political activities in Osun State as political parties make final preparations for Saturday's election, with observers closely watching the conduct of security agencies and electoral authorities.
