…Former Minister Faces Disciplinary Committee for Alleged Misconduct
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, over allegations of anti-party activities and public outbursts against key party leaders, including President Bola Tinubu and former Osun Governor, Chief Bisi Akande.
The suspension was confirmed through a letter dated October 24, 2024, and signed by the Secretary of the Osun State Disciplinary Committee, Comrade Waheed Adediran.
Aregbesola, who served two terms as Governor of Osun State, has faced criticism for openly opposing the re-election of his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, and allegedly aligning with opposition forces during the 2022 Osun gubernatorial and 2023 general elections.
His controversial remarks in 2022, where he expressed a desire to see the party’s leadership, including Tinubu and Akande, removed, were widely condemned.
The letter addressed to Aregbesola and copied to APC’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, highlighted six specific allegations against him. These include:
1. Factionalizing the Party: Establishing splinter groups within the party, such as the Omoluabi Caucus.
2. Creating Parallel Party Organs: Forming alternative party structures.
3. Collaboration with Opposition: Allegedly working with opposition parties to undermine APC’s influence in Osun State.
4. Public Outbursts: Directly criticizing top APC leaders, including President Tinubu, Chief Akande, and ex-Governor Oyetola.
5. Neglect of Party Affairs: Refusing to support or participate in party activities in Osun State.
6. Failure to Vote for APC: Refraining from casting votes for the party in elections since 2019.
Following the findings of a disciplinary committee set up by APC leaders in Ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesa—Aregbesola’s ward—the Osun State Executive Committee (SEC) endorsed his suspension.
The SEC cited Article 21(2) of the party’s constitution, which deals with activities that undermine the collective interests of the APC.
The suspension letter noted that Aregbesola remains suspended pending the outcome of a thorough investigation by a newly constituted disciplinary committee. The committee is expected to provide Aregbesola with an opportunity to respond to the allegations leveled against him.
The Osun APC leadership emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline within the party ranks. Speaking on behalf of the party, Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, affirmed that the suspension was a necessary step to uphold the integrity of the party’s constitution and enforce internal cohesion.
In a related statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, noted that while the party values unity, it cannot condone actions that jeopardize the collective efforts of its members.
Aregbesola’s suspension marks a significant moment in Osun politics, with implications for his political future and the internal stability of the APC in the state.
