Osun APC Suspends Aregbesola Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Rauf Aregbesola, former governor and ex-Minister of Interior, amid allegations of anti-party activities. This immediate suspension will stand pending the results of an inquiry by the state party’s disciplinary committee.

The action was initiated following a request from the APC Executive Committee in Ilesa East Local Government, which called on Osun State Chairman Tajudeen Lawal to address Aregbesola’s alleged activities that, according to them, weakened the party’s unity. The committee’s formal complaint accused Aregbesola of promoting factional divisions and purportedly collaborating with opposition parties, among other allegations.

In response, the Osun State APC Executive Committee informed the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, of its decision to suspend Aregbesola and establish a disciplinary panel to investigate the claims.

The resolution, dated October 22 and titled, “Resolution Suspending Rauf Aregbesola for Anti-Party Activities and Constituting a Disciplinary Committee,” was signed by Osun APC Chairman Lawal and Secretary Kamar Olabisi.

Obtained in Osogbo, the document detailed the allegations and cited Article 21 of the APC Constitution as the basis for the suspension. The statement referenced charges that Aregbesola encouraged factionalism through the creation of a splinter group known as the Omoluabi Caucus, allegedly worked with opposition groups to disrupt APC efforts in Osun, publicly criticized key party figures such as President Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Osun governor Gboyega Oyetola, and declined to support APC events or vote for the party since the 2019 general elections.

The disciplinary committee has 14 days to review the evidence and submit its findings to the state executive. A formal notice was sent to Aregbesola, inviting him to respond to the accusations and defend himself.

A subsequent letter from the committee, dated October 24 and signed by Secretary Waheed Adediran, provided him with 48 hours to submit a written response.

Emphasizing its dedication to party discipline, the Osun APC cautioned members against engaging in actions that could jeopardize party unity or electoral success.

“The party will enforce disciplinary measures on any member found breaching its constitution or participating in anti-party conduct,” stated the committee.