The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the Federal Government and security agencies against any planned arrest of its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s Osun State election.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The party said it received credible reports of plans to arrest Aregbesola in the days leading to the election.
It said the reports came amid what it described as a pattern of intimidation, harassment and alleged misuse of state institutions against the opposition.
The ADC said Nigerians cannot dismiss the reports given the political climate ahead of the poll.
Aregbesola, a former Governor of Osun State and former Minister of the Federal Republic, serves as the National Secretary of the opposition party.
The party said security agencies must follow due process if they have lawful reasons to invite Aregbesola.
It warned that arresting him on the eve of an election in which the ADC is participating could suggest an attempt to stop him from leading and coordinating the party’s activities.
The ADC put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, saying Nigerians were watching developments in Osun.
The party said the public would judge the conduct of the election by actions taken before, during and after the poll, rather than explanations offered later.
However, the party urged the APC-led Federal Government to avoid actions that could plunge Osun State into a needless crisis, stressing that Nigeria remains a democracy and urged the government to remember this before Saturday’s election.
External Links
African Democratic Congress official website
Channels Television report on Aregbesola and ADC leadership
ADC official leadership and party information
