Osun State Governorship Election: ADC Raises Alarm Over Plan to Arrest Rauf Aregbesola

• The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised an alarm over a plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of the 2022 Osun State governorship election.
• The party claimed it had received credible reports of plans to arrest Aregbesola in the days leading up to the poll.
• The ADC argued that arresting Aregbesola on the eve of an election would raise questions about the motive behind such an action.
• The party put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, urging them to avoid actions that could undermine the credibility of the election.

Whatever happens before, during and after Saturday's 2022 election will be judged not by the explanations offered afterwards, but by the actions taken now.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised an alarm over a plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of the 2022 Osun State governorship election. The party claimed it had received credible reports of plans to arrest Aregbesola in the days leading up to the poll. This move is seen as a potential attempt to disrupt the party's election activities and undermine the credibility of the election.

The ADC pointed out that there are established procedures for questioning its national secretary if any security agency has lawful reasons to do so. The party argued that arresting Aregbesola on the eve of an election would raise questions about the motive behind such an action, inviting the conclusion that the purpose is to prevent him from leading and coordinating the party's election activities.

The ADC put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, urging them to avoid actions that could undermine the credibility of the election. The party warned against taking any action that could trigger political tension in the state.

The ADC emphasized that there are established procedures for questioning its national secretary if any security agency has lawful reasons to do so. The party noted that Aregbesola, as a former Governor of Osun State and former Minister of the Federal Republic, is entitled to certain privileges and protections under the law. The ADC argued that these procedures must be followed in order to avoid any appearance of intimidation or harassment.

The party's statement highlighted the importance of respecting democratic principles and ensuring that political parties are allowed to participate freely in elections. The ADC warned against taking any action that could undermine the credibility of the election, citing the need for a free and fair electoral process.

The ADC's alarm over the plan to arrest Aregbesola highlights the ongoing concerns about the misuse of state institutions against opposition parties in Nigeria. The party's warning against taking any action that could trigger political tension in the state underscores the need for a free and fair electoral process. The ADC emphasized that the eyes of Nigerians are on Osun, and whatever happens before, during, and after Saturday's 2022 election will be judged by the actions taken now.

Lawyers should be aware of the potential for politically motivated arrests and intimidation of opposition party officials in Nigeria, which could impact their clients' rights to participate freely in elections.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers