The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended former state governor and former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, over accusations of anti-party activities. The suspension follows a petition from the Ilesa East Local Government APC Executive Committee, which requested the state party leadership to address Aregbesola’s alleged actions that they claim have harmed the party’s unity.
According to the petition, Aregbesola is accused of forming a splinter group within the APC, called the Omoluabi Caucus, and allegedly cooperating with opposition parties to destabilize the APC in Osun. In addition, he has reportedly criticized prominent party leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, former Osun governor Gboyega Oyetola, and Chief Bisi Akande, the APC’s former interim chairman. The petition also claims that Aregbesola has refused to participate in party activities or vote for the APC since the 2019 general elections.
The party’s state executive committee, led by State Chairman Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal and Secretary Kamar Olabisi, moved forward with the suspension on October 22, 2024, in a resolution titled “Resolution Suspending Rauf Aregbesola for Anti-Party Activities and Constituting a Disciplinary Committee.”
The committee sent the suspension notice to the APC national leadership and also established a disciplinary panel to investigate the allegations against Aregbesola.
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The resolution stated that the suspension was based on Article 21 of the APC Constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members who engage in actions detrimental to the party’s interests. The disciplinary committee has been given 14 days to investigate the charges, with a mandate to submit its findings and recommendations to the state executive.
Aregbesola has been formally invited to defend himself against the accusations. He was given 48 hours to respond, according to a follow-up letter dated October 24 and signed by Waheed Adediran, the Osun APC Disciplinary Committee Secretary.
The Osun APC leadership has emphasized the importance of party unity and discipline, warning that members who engage in anti-party activities will face consequences.
“The party will not hesitate to enforce disciplinary measures on any member found violating the party’s constitution or engaging in anti-party conduct,” stated the disciplinary committee in its resolution.