The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over an alleged plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The party, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said it had received what it described as credible reports of plans to arrest the former Osun governor in the days leading to the election.
The ADC said the alleged move was disturbing, particularly against the backdrop of what it described as a pattern of intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions against opposition parties.
“Given the pattern of intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions that has increasingly characterised the conduct of this government towards the opposition, we cannot afford to dismiss these reports,” Abdullahi said.
Aregbesola served as governor of Osun State between 2010 and 2018 before becoming Minister of the Interior. He currently serves as the National Secretary of the ADC.
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The party said it would not object if security agencies had lawful reasons to invite Aregbesola, but insisted that any such action must follow due process.
“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 statement said.
The ADC warned that arresting its national secretary shortly before an election could raise questions about the motive behind such an action, especially given his responsibility for coordinating the party’s activities.
“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 party said.
The opposition party urged the Federal Government and security agencies to avoid actions that could undermine the credibility of the election or create tension in Osun State.
“The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,whatever happens before, during and after Saturday’s election will be judged not by the explanations offered afterwards, but by the actions taken now,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC also warned the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government against taking any step capable of plunging the state into what it described as a needless crisis.
“The APC Federal Government must be wary of doing anything that could plunge Osun State into needless crisis. Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” the party said.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.