By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised an alarm over an alleged plan by security agencies to arrest its National Secretary and former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the lead-up to the Osun State governorship election.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party stated that it had received credible reports regarding moves to detain Aregbesola to disrupt the party’s campaign and election-day coordination.
Key Operational Highlights
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Alleged Political Intimidation: The ADC cautioned against the misuse of state security apparatuses to target opposition leaders, warning that arresting Aregbesola on the eve of the election would raise serious questions about political neutrality.
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Call for Due Process: The party emphasized that while no individual is above the law, any lawful invitation or questioning by security agencies must follow established administrative protocols rather than abrupt pre-election detentions.
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Impact on Election Operations: As a former two-term Governor of Osun State (2010–2018) and former Minister of Interior, Aregbesola plays a central role in coordinating the party’s electoral machinery across the state.
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Warning Against Instability: The ADC urged federal authorities and the ruling party to refrain from actions capable of heightening political tension or destabilizing Osun State ahead of the poll.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ADC ALARM OVER ALLEGED AREGBESOLA ARREST │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Subject : Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (National Secretary, ADC)│
│ • Party Spokesperson : Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi (National Publicity Sec) │
│ │
│ • Core Allegation : Credible reports of plans to arrest Aregbesola │
│ in the days leading to the Osun election │
│ │
│ • Primary Concern : Disruption of campaign activities & intimidation │
│ of opposition leadership │
│ │
│ • Demand : Strict adherence to due process and avoidance of│
│ politically motivated detentions │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
“We Cannot Afford to Dismiss These Reports”
“We have received credible reports of plans to arrest our National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the days leading to Saturday’s Osun State election… 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.” — Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary, ADC
“If any security agency has lawful reasons to invite our National Secretary, there are established procedures for doing so, given his status as a former governor and former minister… Any attempt to arrest him on the eve of an election will raise fundamental questions about the motives behind such an action.” — Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
