The former governor of Osun State and the immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has been suspended by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for alleged anti-party activities and outbursts against President Bola Tinubu, former Governor Chief Bisi Akande and others.
Recall that Aregbesola was at loggerhead with his successor, Adegoyega Oyetola whose re-election he opposed openly.
Aregbesola allegedly teamed up with opposition forces for 2022 Osun governorship elections and 2023 general elections.
Aregbesola in 2022 said he had prayed to God to bring down the party leadership, including Tinubu and Akande, and outburst greeted by wide condemnation.
The leadership of APC from Ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesa where the ex-Governor hails from set up a disciplinary committee to investigate and found him guilty of anti-party activities.
Sequel to a letter by the Secretary of State Disciplinary Committee, Comrade Waheed Adediran dated October 24, 2024 with reference number APC/OS/RA/01 to Aregbesola, Osun APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal and Secretary, Alao Kamoru, the party suspended him on six grounds of anti-party and others.
A letter submitted to the APC’s National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, obtained by The Nation noted that Aregbesola remains suspended.
It reads: “Following Committee, the State Executive Committee (SEC), llesa East Local Government Executive reviewing the allegations and by the powers vested in it by Article 21(3) (vi) (c) of the party’s Constitution, 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 activities deemed to violate Article 21 (2) of the party’s Constitution, particularly relating 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 i.e. the Omoluabi Caucus-a trending video of their recent activities in Iwo is here with attached; Creation of parallel organs within the party;
“Working with opposition parties to undermine the APC in the State -admission made at the Ataoja’s Palace 4th of January 2024, Osogbo; Public outbursts against the leaders of the party, including President, H.E. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), Chief Bisi Akande and H.E. Gboyega Oyetola, among others;
“Refusal to show up or support any party activities in the State; and Refusal to vote for the party since after the 2019 general elections.”
