The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended former Governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, following allegations of anti-party activities. The suspension, which is effective immediately, was initiated by the Ilesa East Local Government APC Executive Committee, which submitted a formal petition to the state party chairman, Tajudeen Lawal. According to the petition, Aregbesola is accused of actions that have allegedly weakened the party’s cohesion.
The allegations against Aregbesola include factionalising the APC by forming a splinter group known as the Omoluabi Caucus, collaborating with opposition parties to destabilise the party, and openly criticising prominent party leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, former Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola, and APC elder statesman Chief Bisi Akande. The petition also accuses him of refusing to participate in or support APC activities in Osun State and failing to vote for the party since the 2019 general elections.
In response, the Osun State APC Executive Committee notified the party’s national leadership, represented by APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and announced the establishment of a disciplinary committee to investigate the allegations. The resolution suspending Aregbesola was documented in an official letter dated October 22, which was signed by Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal and Secretary Kamar Olabisi. The statement cited Article 21 of the APC Constitution as the basis for the suspension.
The disciplinary committee has been given 14 days to review the charges and present its findings to the state executive. As part of the proceedings, a formal notice was issued to Aregbesola, inviting him to appear before the committee and defend himself against the six charges. In a follow-up letter dated October 24, signed by Disciplinary Committee Secretary Waheed Adediran, Aregbesola was granted 48 hours to submit a written response to the allegations, which the committee considers essential for their investigation.
Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining unity and discipline, the Osun APC warned party members against actions that could compromise the party’s stability and electoral success. “The party will not hesitate to enforce disciplinary measures on any member found violating the APC Constitution or engaging in anti-party conduct,” the committee emphasized, urging all members to uphold the party’s values and principles.
