The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State. The party recently had its say via a press statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, and Nigerians have been reacting.
Stressing that it has received credible reports of moves to arrest the former Osun State governor in the days leading to the poll, ADC expressed concern that such an action could be intended to disrupt its campaign and election-day activities.
Emphasizing Aregbesola’s role in coordinating the ADC’s efforts, the party added that any invitation by security agencies should follow due process.
It read, “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.
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.
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 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.
Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday.”
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