Osun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended with immediate effect, former Governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola over allegations of anti-party activities.
Gatekeepers News reports that the former Governor was suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings initiated by the state’s party leadership.
Before this, Ilesa East Local Government APC Executive Committee had petitioned the state party chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, to take action against Aregbesola over his alleged involvement in actions that undermined the party.
The committee, in a letter sent, accused Aregbesola of promoting factionalism and colluding with opposition parties, among other allegations.
Osun State APC Executive Committee notified the party’s national leadership, represented by APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje that it will suspend Aregbesola and establish a disciplinary panel to investigate the charges.
The resolution dated Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 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.
The document obtained on Tuesday in Osogbo outlined the allegations and Aregbesola’s suspension based on Article 21 of the APC Constitution.
The statement reads, “Following complaints of anti-party activities leveled against Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola by the Ilesa 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.”
Charges against Aregbesola include, factionalizing APC by forming the Omoluabi Caucus splinter group; collaborating with opposition parties to destabilize the APC in Osun State; publicly criticizing party leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Osun governor Gboyega Oyetola; refusing to participate in or support APC activities within the state; and refusing to vote for the party since tl2019 general elections.
The disciplinary committee will deliver its findings and recommendations to the state executive within 14 days.
The committee also sent a formal notice to Aregbesola, inviting him to appear and defend himself against the allegations.
Osun APC reaffirmed its commitment to party discipline and urged members to avoid actions that could harm the party’s unity and electoral prospects.
It concluded, “The party will not hesitate to enforce disciplinary measures on any member found violating the party’s constitution or engaging in anti-party conduct.”
In a follow-up letter dated October 24 and signed by Osun APC Disciplinary Committee Secretary, Waheed Adediran, the committee gave Aregbesola 48 hours to respond to the allegations in writing.
His response, the committee noted, would be