The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has suspended former Governor Rauf Aregbesola over accusations of anti-party activities.
This suspension, announced by the Osun State APC, will remain until a disciplinary committee concludes its investigation into the matter.
The suspension request came from the Ilesa East Local Government APC Executive Committee, which accused Aregbesola of undermining the party.
In a letter to state party chairman Tajudeen Lawal, the committee claimed that Aregbesola’s actions promoted factionalism and even involved cooperation with opposition parties to weaken the APC in Osun State.
The Osun APC Executive Committee, in response, informed the party’s national leadership, represented by APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, about the suspension. They also established a disciplinary panel to review the claims against Aregbesola.
The resolution, 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 and dated October 22.
It specified the alleged anti-party actions, citing Article 21 of the APC Constitution as the basis for Aregbesola’s suspension.
The resolution read, “Following complaints of anti-party activities leveled against Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola by the Ilesa East Local Government Executive Committee, the State Executive Committee, 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 allegations against Aregbesola include:
- Forming a splinter group called the Omoluabi Caucus within the APC,
- Allegedly working with opposition groups to destabilize the APC in Osun,
- Publicly criticizing party leaders like President Bola Tinubu and former Governor Gboyega Oyetola,
- Not supporting or participating in APC activities in the state, and
- Not voting for the APC since the 2019 elections.
The disciplinary committee has 14 days to review these allegations and provide recommendations.
Aregbesola has also been formally invited to respond to these charges and defend himself, with a notice from the Osun APC Disciplinary Committee requesting a written response within 48 hours.
“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 Osun APC stressed.
