The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

The party, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said it had received what it described as “credible reports” of moves to arrest the former Osun State governor in the days leading to the election.

The development, according to the ADC, was particularly troubling given Aregbesola’s position as the party’s National Secretary and his role in coordinating its activities ahead of the August 15 poll.

Aregbesola, who governed Osun State between 2010 and 2018, also served as Minister of Interior under former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is currently a key official of the ADC, which is participating in the governorship election.

The opposition party alleged that the reported move could form part of a wider pattern of intimidation and harassment of opposition politicians by the Federal Government.

The ADC said it had no objection to Aregbesola responding to any legitimate investigation by security agencies, but insisted that such action must be conducted in accordance with established legal procedures.

It warned that arresting the former governor immediately before an election in which his party is participating could be interpreted as an attempt to disrupt the party’s preparations and prevent its leadership from effectively coordinating its campaign and election activities.

“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 said.

The ADC consequently cautioned the Federal Government and security agencies against taking any step capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process or escalating political tension in Osun State.

It urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to exercise restraint and ensure that all political parties and their leaders were allowed to participate freely in the election without intimidation.

According to the party, developments in Osun State are being closely monitored by Nigerians, who would judge the authorities not by explanations issued after the election but by the actions taken before, during and after the poll.

“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 statement added.

The ADC stressed that Nigeria remained a democracy and called on the Federal Government to uphold democratic principles, respect political freedoms and avoid actions capable of plunging Osun State into what it described as a needless crisis.

The warning comes three days before the August 15 governorship election, which has heightened political activities and security concerns across the state.