The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over what it described as a credible plan by security agencies to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.

In a statement issued Wednesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party viewed the alleged move as part of a wider pattern of intimidation and misuse of state institutions against opposition figures.

“The ADC has received credible reports of plans to arrest our National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the days leading to Saturday’s Osun State election,” the statement read.

The party warned that such an arrest could heighten political tension and undermine public confidence in the electoral process. 

It stressed that if security agencies had legitimate grounds to question Aregbesola, they should follow established legal procedures rather than resort to politically motivated actions.

Aregbesola, a former Osun State governor and Minister of Interior, is expected to play a key role in coordinating ADC’s election activities. 

The party cautioned that detaining him on the eve of the poll would be seen as an attempt to prevent him from fulfilling his responsibilities.

The ADC urged the Federal Government and security agencies to exercise restraint, respect democratic institutions, and avoid steps that could plunge Osun into crisis.

“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” Abdullahi warned.

The allegation comes amid heightened tension in Osun, with political parties and civil society groups expressing concern over intimidation, inflammatory rhetoric, and electoral violence in the run-up to the election.

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