The Osun State chapter of Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the suspension of Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Osun State and recent Minister of Interior, following accusations of activities seen as detrimental to the party. According to state party officials, the suspension is effective immediately and will stand while a disciplinary panel reviews the charges brought against Aregbesola.
The move to suspend Aregbesola was initiated by the Ilesa East Local Government APC Executive Committee. The committee sent a formal petition to the Osun State APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, calling for Aregbesola’s suspension due to his alleged involvement in actions counterproductive to the APC’s unity and success in Osun State. The petition accuses Aregbesola of several offenses, including promoting factions within the party and cooperating with opposition groups, among other allegations.
The Osun APC Executive Committee acted on the local committee’s request, promptly informing the APC’s national leadership. A statement from Osun APC Chairperson Lawal and Secretary Kamar Olabisi, dated October 22, 2024, announced the decision to suspend Aregbesola, citing Article 21 of the APC Constitution as the basis for this action. The notice, titled “Resolution Suspending Rauf Aregbesola for Anti-Party Activities and Constituting a Disciplinary Committee,” details various accusations against Aregbesola.
Among the claims against the former governor are allegations that he formed a splinter group within the APC, known as the “Omoluabi Caucus,” which is seen as undermining party cohesion. The letter further accuses him of working with opposing parties to destabilize the APC in Osun, publicly criticizing prominent APC figures, including President Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, and Gboyega Oyetola, a former governor of Osun State. Additionally, Aregbesola is alleged to have abstained from APC events and reportedly refrained from voting for the party since the 2019 general elections.
“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.
The disciplinary committee, assigned to investigate these charges, has been given 14 days to complete its inquiry and present its recommendations to the Osun APC Executive Committee. Aregbesola has been formally invited to appear and defend himself against the allegations.
In a follow-up notice, dated October 24, Waheed Adediran, Secretary of the Osun APC Disciplinary Committee, gave Aregbesola a 48-hour deadline to provide a written response to the charges. The committee stated that his response would be integral to its assessment of the situation and its eventual recommendations.
The Osun APC leadership emphasized its dedication to maintaining unity within the party and cautioned all members against actions that could disrupt party harmony. In a statement, the party leaders warned, “The party will not hesitate to enforce disciplinary measures on any member found violating the party’s constitution or engaging in anti-party conduct.”
