APC suspends Ex-Minister Aregbesola

APC suspends Ex-Minister Aregbesola

Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended immediate past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola for alleged anti-party activities and outbursts against President Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande and others.

Aregbesola, who was a two-term Osun Governor, was at loggerhead with his successor, Adegoyega Oyetola, whose re-election he opposed openly.

He also allegedly teamed up with opposition forces for the 2022 Osun governorship election and 2023 general elections.

In .2022, he openly prayed for God to bring down the party leadership, including Tinubu and Akande, and outburst that was greeted with wide condemnation.

The leadership of the APC in Ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesa where the ex-Govenor hails from, set up a disciplinary committee to investigate allegation of anti-party activities for which he was found guilty.

A letter by the Secretary of the State Disciplinary Committee, Comrade Waheed Adediran dated October 24, 2024 with reference number APC/OS/RA/01 to Aregbesola, Osun APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal and Secretary, Alao Kamoru, suspended him on six grounds of anti-party and others.

A letter of Resolution by the ward to the APC’s National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, noted that Aregbesola remained suspended.

It reads: “Following Committee, the State Executive Committee (SEC), llesa East Local Government Executive reviewing the allegations and by 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 Committee has constituted a Disciplinary Committee to investigate and provide Ogbeni Aregbesola with the opportunity to respond to the allegations of activities deemed to violate 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-a trending video of their recent activities in Iwo is here with attached; Creation of parallel organs within the party;

“Working with opposition parties to undermine the APC in the State -admission made at the Ataoja’s Palace 4th of January 2024, Osogbo; Public outbursts against the leaders of the party, including President, H.E. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), Chief Bisi Akande and H.E. Gboyega Oyetola, among others;

“Refusal to show up or support any party activities in the State; and Refusal to vote for the party since after the 2019 general elections.”

Efforts to speak with the camp of Aregbesola were abortive. His media aide, Sola Fasure, did not pick calls or reply to text messages to his mobile.

Also, the Chairman of the caucus of Aregbsola, Adelowo Adebiyi, abruptly ended calls of our correspondent. He didn’t reply SMS messages too..

Former Commissioner of Information, Adelani Baderinwa, also did not respond to calls and messages on his mobile line.(www.amatropics.com)