AREGBESOLA IS SUSPENDED BY OSUN APC FOR ALLEGED ANTI-PARTY ACTIVITY

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Rauf Aregbesola, the former governor and interior minister, has been suspended by the All Progressives Congress’s Osun State chapter due to accusations of anti-party activity.

The suspension, which is effective immediately, is pending the conclusion of disciplinary actions taken by the party leadership of the state.

The ruling came after the Ilesa East Local Government APC Executive Committee petitioned Tajudeen Lawal, the state party chairman, to move against Aregbesola, claiming that he was involved in activities that damaged the APC.

In a letter, the committee charged Aregbesola with a number of offenses, including encouraging factionalism and conspiring with opposition groups.

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Responding to the request, the Osun State APC Executive Committee notified the party’s national leadership, represented by APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, of its decision to suspend Aregbesola and to establish a disciplinary panel to investigate the charges.

The resolution, dated October 22, 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.

“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,” the statement partly read.

In addition to publicly criticizing party leaders such as President Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Osun governor Gboyega Oyetola, Aregbesola is accused of factionalizing the APC by creating the Omoluabi Caucus splinter group, working with opposition parties to destabilize the APC in Osun State, refusing to support or participate in APC activities within the state, and not voting for the party since the 2019 general elections.

Within 14 days, the committee will present its conclusions and suggestions to the state executive.

Additionally, it sent Aregbesola a formal notice inviting him to come and refute the accusations.

The Osun APC reaffirmed its dedication to party discipline and asked members to refrain from doing any acts that would jeopardize the party’s unity and chances of winning elections.

“The party will not hesitate to enforce disciplinary measures on any member found violating the party’s constitution or engaging in anti-party conduct,” the committee said.

Waheed Adediran, the secretary of the Osun APC Disciplinary Committee, signed a follow-up letter on October 24 giving the former governor 48 hours to provide a written response to the accusations.

The committee pointed out that his response will be crucial to its examination of the six accusations made against him.