The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged plans to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it received “credible reports” of the planned arrest in the days leading to the August 15 poll.

“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,” the ADC said.

The party described Aregbesola as a former governor of Osun State, former minister of the Federal Republic, and current National Secretary of the opposition party.

The ADC said if any security agency has a lawful reason to invite him, established procedures exist 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 statement added.

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The ADC put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, saying Nigerians are watching developments in Osun.

“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,” it said.

The party warned the APC-led Federal Government against actions that could plunge Osun into crisis.

“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,” ADC stated.