The protracted crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State escalated yesterday, following the suspension of former Governor Raul Aregbesola for anti-party activities by the chapter.
The disciplinary hammer also came on the former Interior Minister because of his outbursts against President Bola Tinubu, pioneer Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, and other chieftains, the party said.
The decision to suspend the former governor followed the complaints of anti-party activities against him and some of his supporters by the Executive Committee of the party in Ilesa East Local Government Area.
After receiving the request to sanction Aregbesola, the state chapter forwarded the letter of complaint to the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
The allegations against the suspended stalwart include the factionalisation of the party, collaboration with opposition platforms, neglect of party duties and obligations, and public outburst against the party leadership.
The State Disciplinary Committee also wrote a letter to the former governor to defend himself over the allegations.
Supporters of Aregbesola, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, described the suspension as politically motivated, saying it would not resolve the party’s conflicts.
For six years, Osun APC has been swimming in the murky pool of crisis arising from 2018 governorship nomination. Amid the division and polarisation, the party managed to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the poll.
But the crisis worsened during the 2022 governorship election, thereby weakening the resolve of the divided chapter to retain power.
Efforts to resolve the crisis had collapsed.
Aregbesola has been at loggerhead with his successor, Adegoyega Oyetola, whose re-election bid he had opposed. Oyetola is now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
It was also alleged that supporters of Aregbesola teamed up with the opposition during the governorship poll in 2022 and last year’s general election.
Aregbesola’s outburst against the party’s leadership was greeted with condemnation in 2022 when in a video that went viral he prayed to God to bring the leader down.
According to the state chapter, a disciplinary committee set up by Ward 8, Ilofin, Ilesa APC to investigate the ex-governor found him guilty of anti-party activities.
Following a letter on October 24 by the Secretary of State Disciplinary Committee, Waheed Adediran, to Aregbesola, State Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, and Secretary Alao Kamoru suspended him on six grounds of anti-party activities.
A copy of the letter was sent to Ganduje to intimate the national leadership about Aregbesola’s suspension.
The letter reads: “After reviewing the allegations and by the powers vested in it by Article 21(3) (vi) (c) of the party’s Constitution, the Osun State APC hereby suspends Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from the party, pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations by a Disciplinary Committee.
“The State Executive Committee has constituted a Disciplinary Committee to investigate and provide Ogbeni Aregbesola with the opportunity to respond to the allegations of anti-party activities which violated Article 21 (2) of the party’s Constitution, particularly as they relate to anti-party activities that undermine the collective interests of the APC levelled against him as follows:
“Factionalisation of the party with the creation of splinter groups, that is, the Omoluabi Caucus. A trending video of their recent activities in Iwo is here attached;
“Creation of parallel organs within the party;
“Working with opposition parties to undermine the APC in the state;
“Public outbursts against the leaders of the party, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande and others;
“Refusal to show up or support party activities in the state; and the refusal to vote for the party since after the 2019 general elections.”
A group, Osun Progressives Youths in United Kingdom (O-SPYUK), applauded the disciplinary measure.
Its Coordinator, Tunmise, said: “This will allow the party to do away with distractions within its fold and focus on future elections.
“It is unfortunate that Aregbesola, after the party helped him to realise his governorship ambition for eight years and he also got the appointment of a minister for four years, could work against the same house that made him.
“Aregbesola after benefitting from the party, turned himself into a distraction within the progressive family that made him, waging tbe war of ego.”
Aregbesola’s media aide, Sola Fasure, did not pick his call. He also failed to reply to text messages through his phone number.
Also, the Chairman of ‘Aregbsola Caucus’, Adelowo Adebiyi, ignored calls on him for reactions.
Former Commissioner for Information, Adelani Baderinwa, who is also a member of the camp, did not respond to calls and text messages.