Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and members of the Omoluabi Progressives may be on their way out of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This followed the resolution of the caucus after ratifying an earlier resolution to exit the political platform on which Aregbesola governed Osun State for eight years.
The former governor created the Omoluabi Progressives in 2023 after the dissolution of The Osun Progressives (TOP). He served as patron of TOP before its dissolution.
TOP, which had been in existence within the APC since 2021, was the platform used to frustrate the re-election of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
The leadership of APC alleged that Aregbesola, a former Interior Minister, and his faction worked against the party in the 2022 governorship poll and during the 2023 general election
TOP members were suspended from the party.
But after its monthly meeting in Ilesa, the Aregbesola-led group said it reached a consensus to pull its members from the 332 wards of the state out of the APC.
Spokesman for the group Abosede Oluwaseun announced the decision in a statement last night.
The statement reads: “Members of the leading political organisation in Osun State, Omoluabi Progressives, have in a consensus vote agreed to quit the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This was the consensus of stakeholders after a session ratifying the earlier resolution of members from the 332 wards of Osun at its monthly meeting in Ilesa on Sunday.
“Some of the reasons adduced for the resolution include ostracisation from the party, suspension and expulsion of the tendency’s leaders without fair hearing, and continuous denigration of the structure, among others.”
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The group criticised the management of the Osun APC intra-party crisis which led to its loss in the last election cycle, a situation they consented has waned its strength and popularity among the people of Osun.
Abosede noted that the members of the faction were put to a voice vote by the leadership of the fold where they affirmed their readiness to switch allegiance to another political camp ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.
The statement further reads: “Addressing members of the tendency, immediate-past minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, commended them for their commitment and steadfastness to the principles of character, integrity, and good governance.
“Aregbesola, while affirming the resolution, noted that it is time to work aggressively for the success of Omoluabi Progressives and its vision to entrench good governance in Osun.
“He also assured that in no distant time, results of ongoing efforts by the leadership of the tendency to properly position it for the task ahead will materialise.
“I am indeed happy that all of you have spoken with one voice. It is not just one voice but a united front to lead the way to our collective victory in the journey ahead.
“I wish to remind you that the journey we are embarking on now is to further raise the level of prosperity of our dear state through responsible leadership. The path we have toed is smooth, highly reassuring and full of good tides that will propel our dear state to greatness.
“Therefore, you must show more commitment and attract genuine people who are ready to walk this path of righteousness with us.
“We are open to all regardless of political, religious, or socio-cultural leanings. We have the numbers, strength, and political acumen to provide leadership that will make Osun the toast of its peers. By the grace of God, we shall succeed.”
Chairman of the group, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, thanked members for their consistency.
He told the gathering that with the resolve of members to align with a novel political platform, efforts should not be spared to reorientate them on the ethos of true progressivism, which is the hallmark of the group.