Opposition party warns federal government against ‘eve-of-election’ arrest, says it would plunge Osun into crisis
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sounded a high-voltage alarm over what it describes as a sinister plot to arrest its national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, just days before Saturday’s crucial governorship election in Osun State.
In a fiery statement issued Wednesday night, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC national publicity secretary, declared that the party had received “credible reports” of plans to detain the former Osun governor in the lead-up to the poll.
“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.
ADC Fires Warning Shot
The party spokesperson made it clear that any invitation from security agencies must follow “established legal procedures,” warning that an arrest on the eve of the election would carry only one logical interpretation.
“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,” Abdullahi asserted.
‘Eyes of Nigerians Are on Osun’
The ADC put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, insisting that the international and domestic spotlight is fixed firmly on the south-western 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 warned.
He urged the federal government to tread carefully, stating: “Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday.”
Tensions Mount in Osun
The alarm comes amid heightened political temperatures in Osun State, with parties and their supporters locked in heated exchanges and trading allegations of intimidation and harassment as the election draws near.
