In Osun state right
now, there is a fresh political tension brewing. The different political
parties in the state are gearing up for what may likely be the mother of all
showdowns when the political parties go to the polls for the state’s governorship
election come 2026. And the group that will lighten up the political landscape
in the state is the former governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Omoluabi group which will
metamorphose into a political party anytime time from now. This development has created a
sense of fear and apprehension within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in
Osun State as the Omoluabi Progressives has promised to make its position known
concerning the 2026 governorship election in the state and change the political
narrative of the state. And if feelers reaching City People anything to go by,
this is no empty threat,
The Chairman of the Omoluabi group, Alhaji Abdulazeez
Adesiji, speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Osogbo over the weekend, outlined
the group’s long-term goals, with a clear focus on reclaiming the state
government in the 2026 elections.
When asked about the group’s specific plans for the
future, Adesiji hinted at major announcements coming in December. “We have a
plan, but we are waiting for the right time. By December, we will know the
exact direction we are taking.”
The
Chairman held that, “Our cards are ready. As we did for our key leaders in
Ilesa, we have commenced the issuance of cards across Osun. By the time we are
done, members will have access to many more packages that will espouse our
distinctiveness.
“When we tell people that Omoluabi Progressives is coming to
take the reins of power in the state, they will think we are playing. They will
think we don’t know what we are doing.
“They should wait for us. We are not making mouth about it.
Check where the genuine progressives are. They are all Omoluabis.
“Our principles accommodate everyone who see politics as a way
to better the lives of the people. We are not after pecuniary, but seek to
drive the development that the people desire in any government.
“By the grace of God, we will not let the people down,” the ex-council boss
stressed.
Meanwhile, the caucus according to its spokesperson, Comrade
Abosede Oluwaseun, had began the official presentation of
membership/registration cards to its members across the state.
A former Special
Adviser on Business, Science, and Technology in Osun, and President of the
Omoluabi Group in Osogbo Federal Constituency, Muhideen Olateju, highlighted
the group’s ongoing efforts to reconnect with party leaders and members at the
grassroots level.
He explained that the group has been engaging with local
government leaders and party members across Osun since last month, with the
visits aimed at assessing the strength and readiness of their supporters ahead
of the next political phase.
“We have been
moving around all our local governments, checking on party leaders and members
to ensure everything is in place. By December, we plan to roll out the next
line of action. From what we’ve seen so far, our members are very much intact,
and the people of Osun are ready to welcome our party back,” Olateju said.
He further emphasised that the Omoluabi faction remains a
significant force within the APC in Osun State, despite internal party
frictions.
Former Senior Special Assistant under Aregbesola, Hon.
Wale Alabi, noted that the Omoluabi group is not a separate political entity
but a loyalist structure within the larger progressive family.
He acknowledged the tension between the faction and other
parts of the APC, stating that some within the party have sought to sideline the
group, but its loyalty to Aregbesola remains unwavering.
“Omoluabi Progressive is a tendency within the APC, loyal
to Aregbesola. While others may not want to see us succeed, we cannot simply
wind up because of that. Our loyalty remains, and whatever Aregbesola says, we
follow.
“Today, we have members from the Social Democratic Party
(SDP), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and even other APC factions joining
us. We’ve seen the collapse of entire structures from Ward 9 of Olorunda Local
Government, where the SDP members have aligned with us, and similar defections
from the APC’s Ilerioluwa faction,” Alabi said.
This development is coming
against the shocking news which rang through the entire length and breadth of
the south-west region that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State
has suspended former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, over alleged
anti-party activities.
In a resolution submitted to
the APC National Secretariat and addressed to National Chairman Dr. Umar
Ganduje, the Osun APC accused Aregbesola, a former governor of the state, of
creating divisions within the party by establishing a splinter faction.
The Osun
State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has announced the immediate
suspension of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, pending the outcome of
disciplinary proceedings against him.
Aregbesola’s suspension followed a resolution by the party’s
executive committee of the Ilesa East Local Government, which requested
disciplinary action against the party stalwart who served as Interior Minister
in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, in a letter
addressed to the party’s state chairman, Mr Tajudeen Lawal.
The local government APC executive accused Aregbesola of
anti-party activities and demanded action against him to restore party
discipline and deter other members from engaging in such actions.
Responding to the request by the Ilesa East branch of the party,
the Osun State APC executive committee, in a resolution addressed to the
party’s National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, informed the national
leadership of the allegations against Aregbesola.
The
resolution, dated October 22, 2024, titled “Resolution suspending Rauf
Aregbesola for anti-party activities and constituting a disciplinary
committee,” was obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday and signed by the Osun APC
chairman, Lawal and the secretary, Kamar Olabisi.
It partly read “Following complaints of anti-party activities
levelled against Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola by the llesa East Local Government
Executive Committee, the State Executive Committee (SEC), after reviewing the
allegations and in accordance with 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 Commíttee has constituted a disciplinary
committee to investigate and provide Ogbeni Aregbesola with the opportunity to
respond to the allegations of activities deemed to be in violation of 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;
working with opposition parties to undermine the APC in the state; public
outbursts against the leaders of the party, including Mr President, H.E.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), Chief Bisi Akande and H.E. Gboyega
Oyetola,
among others; has an open refusal to show up or support any party activities in
the state; and has refused to vote for the party since after the 2019 general
elections.
“The
committee is to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the
State Executive Committee within 14 days from the date of this resolution.
“The disciplinary committee, pursuant to Article 21 (3), will formally
communicate this resolution to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and inform him of his
right to appear before it to defend himself against the allegations.
“The
State Executive Committee wishes to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to
maintaining party discipline in Osun. We, therefore, urge our members to
refrain from any activity that would negatively impact the integrity, unity,
and electoral fortunes of the APC in Osun State.
“The
party will not hesitate to activate necessary disciplinary actions against
members who are found to have violated the party’s constitution and engage in
anti-party activities.”
Meanwhile,
the disciplinary committee has written to Aregbesola, requesting him to respond
to the allegations against him in writing within 48 hours of receiving the
letter.
The letter, dated October 24 and signed by Waheed Adediran, the
Secretary of the Osun APC Disciplinary Committee, said Aregbesola’s response
would enable the committee to investigate the six allegations levelled against
him.
Efforts to get a reaction to the development failed. Several
calls to the spokesperson of the Omoluabi Caucus, a group supported by
Aregbesola in the state, Oluwaseun Abosede, and Mr Sola Fasure, who was the
media adviser to the ex-governor when he was serving as minister, did not go
through.
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