Ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over purported plans to detain Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, its National Secretary.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the party claimed to have received “credible reports” of a plot to detain the former Osun State governor in the days preceding the election.
The reported plan, according to the ADC, was part of a pattern of harassment, intimidation, and alleged abuse of state institutions against opposition figures.
“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 party consequently put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, urging them to exercise restraint ahead of Saturday’s poll.
It said the conduct of the authorities before, during and after the election would be closely watched by Nigerians and judged by their actions rather than explanations offered after the event.
“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,” the ADC said.
“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.”
As the forthcoming Osun election approaches, it is crucial that all stakeholders prioritize peace and civility. Violence and chaos have no place in our democratic process, and causing disturbances only undermine the progress and stability of our society. We must remember that the strength of our democracy lies in our ability to resolve differences peacefully and respectfully. Let us come together in the spirit of unity and understanding, and pray for a peaceful, fair, and credible election that reflects the true will of the people.
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Rose Ajieh
