The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has voiced concern over reports that its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, could be arrested before the Osun State governorship election on Saturday.
The party said it was alerted to an alleged move involving security operatives and warned that detaining one of its key officials so close to the election could worsen the already tense political situation in the state.
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, disclosed the party’s concerns in a statement on Wednesday. He said the development was particularly troubling amid what the party described as increasing pressure on opposition politicians.
“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 opposition group appealed to the authorities to handle the situation carefully, stressing that any development capable of affecting the peaceful conduct of the election should be avoided.
Aregbesola, who served as governor of Osun and later held the position of Minister of the Interior, remains an important figure within the ADC. His responsibilities include helping the party organise its activities as voters prepare to choose the next governor.
The party said there would be no justification for bypassing the proper legal process if the former governor was required by any government agency.
“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 ADC further argued that removing Aregbesola from the political scene immediately before the poll could affect the party’s preparations and raise concerns about the neutrality of the process.
“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 claim has emerged at a time when political activities in Osun have become increasingly intense. Stakeholders have expressed apprehension about alleged harassment of political actors, provocative campaign statements, potential clashes and the conduct of security personnel during the election period.
The Saturday contest is also attracting attention beyond Osun, particularly because of the possibility that its outcome could influence the way opposition parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Against this backdrop, the ADC said the alleged move against its national secretary deserved close scrutiny.
“We therefore put the Federal Government and the security agencies on notice. The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” Abdullahi said.
He stressed that the conduct of government agencies throughout the election period would be closely watched and assessed based on their actual decisions and actions.
“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 measures that could deepen political divisions or trigger unrest in Osun.
“The APC Federal Government must be wary of doing anything that could plunge Osun State into needless crisis,” it said.
The ADC maintained that political parties must be allowed to operate freely within the framework of the law and urged the government to uphold democratic standards as the state heads to the polls.
“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 remain watchful as events unfold and called on Nigerians to pay attention to developments before, during and after the election.
