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Osun election: ADC raises alarm over alleged plan to arrest Aregbesola
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Osun election: ADC raises alarm over alleged plan to arrest Aregbesola

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The African Democratic Congress (ADC) alleges a plot to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, before the Osun State governorship election.
  • The party fears the arrest is intended to disrupt its campaign and election-day activities.
  • The ADC urged the government and security agencies to uphold democratic principles and avoid actions that could undermine the election's credibility.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over an alleged plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, in the lead-up to Saturday's governorship election in Osun State. The party stated it has received "credible reports" of moves to detain the former Osun State governor.

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.

— Bolaji AbdullahiNational Publicity Secretary of the ADC, explaining the party's concern over alleged plans to arrest Rauf Aregbesola.

In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed worry that such an arrest could be aimed at disrupting its campaign efforts and election-day operations, particularly impacting Aregbesola's role in coordinating the party's activities. Abdullahi cited a "pattern of intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions" by the current government against the opposition.

Aregbesola, who previously served as Osun State governor from 2010 to 2018 and later as Minister of the Interior, is a key figure in the opposition party. The ADC emphasized that any invitation by security agencies should adhere to due process, given Aregbesola's prominent political status and past public service.

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.

— ADCStatement from the African Democratic Congress regarding the proper procedures for inviting public officials.

The party warned that arresting Aregbesola shortly before the election could be interpreted as an attempt to weaken the ADC's participation. "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 statement read.

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.

— ADCStatement from the African Democratic Congress on the potential implications of arresting Rauf Aregbesola before the election.

The ADC appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to avoid any actions that could undermine the credibility of the election, stating, "The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun." They urged authorities to uphold democratic principles and reminded the government that Nigeria remains a democracy.

The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun.

— Bolaji AbdullahiNational Publicity Secretary of the ADC, urging authorities to uphold democratic principles during the election.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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