Fresh facts have emerged over the recent pullout of the former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his supporters from the APC, as it was gathered exclusively that he decided to save face following his knowledge of his expulsion from the party. Vanguard reports.
Aregbesola and the APC in Osun have been at loggerheads over issues of anti-party activities during the 2022 governorship poll in the state and the 2023 general election.
Aregbesola along with his supporters had pitched their tent against the re-election bid of his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola citing that the now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy betrayed him.
The differences led to the formation of The Osun Progressives, TOP, a pressure group within the APC which mobilized support against Oyetola after the party lost the poll, the group was dissolved after which a new caucus, Omoluabi Progressives was formed.
His suspension
The former Minister was in October last year suspended from the party through a resolution sent to the State Working Committee by his ward executive citing anti-party activities.
The party in a resolution signed by the Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal and forwarded to the National Chairman, Dr Umar Ganduje accused Aregbesola of creating divisions within the party by establishing a splinter faction.
The APC in Osun claims that Aregbesola’s actions have fueled internal divisions, with party leaders asserting that his influence on certain groups has caused significant discord.
His expulsion
Meanwhile, following the dispatch of the resolution of Aregbesola’s suspension to the National Secretariat, it was gathered that a response of the leadership to the State Chapter endorsing his expulsion was sent to the former governor through DHL on Friday, January 24, 2025, to his Ilesa residence.
The letter which was sighted by Vanguard, dated January 7, 2025 and was signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the State chapter, Tajudeen Lawal and Kamoru Alao stated that Aregbesola has been suspended effective immediately.
The letter, which was addressed to the former Minister reads in part, “We write to formally bring to your attention the findings and resolution arising from the disciplinary process initiated concerning allegations of anti-party activities levelled against you by the Disciplinary Committee, where you were allowed to be heard by the principles of natural justice. At the end of the investigation, the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee.
Having carefully considered the findings and recommendations of the Committee, SEC has resolved to accept the recommendation of your immediate expulsion from the All Progressives Congress, APC. The decision was predicated on the clear evidence of your actions, which undermined the unity and integrity of the Party in violation of the provisions of Article 21 of the APC Constitution guiding the conduct and discipline of members.
“As a result, with the approval of your expulsion, you cease to be a member of APC Consequently, you are not to hold yourself out as a member or act in any capacity on behalf of the Party in any manner whatsoever.
“While acknowledging your past contributions to the Party, we trust that you will comply with this decision and act according to the directives in this communique”.
