Former Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has endorsed the planned exit of his loyalist, the Omoluabi Progressives, from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group’s organising and publicity secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, in Osogbo, has said the decision to leave the APC was initiated by stakeholders across the 332 wards in the state during a monthly meeting held in Ilesa.
Abosede cited several reasons for the decision, including allegations of ostracism, suspension, and expulsion of members without fair hearing, as well as the perceived neglect and denigration of the group within the APC structure.
Abosede further noted the dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of internal crises, which the group claimed contributed to the APC’s poor performance in the last election cycle.
According to the group, this has significantly weakened the party’s popularity and strength in Osun State.
Commenting on the group’s decision to leave the APC, Aregbesola said it marked the beginning of a new journey towards entrenching responsible leadership in Osun.
Aregbesola, the immediate past minister of Interior, lauded members of the group for their commitment to the principles of integrity, character, and good governance.
He urged them to remain steadfast as they reposition the Omoluabi Progressives for the future.
Reacting however, Osun State chapter of the APC stated that it remains unperturbed over the exit from its fold saying that Aregbesola’s supporters actually quit the mainstream of the party in 2022.
The party spokesman, Mr. Kola Olabisi, in a statement on the group’s exit from APC, said a large number of the Omoluabi Progressives had been either expelled or suspended from the APC and described them as agents of the Peoples Democratic Party.
He insisted that the APC would not miss Aregbesola’s supporters, adding that they left after their efforts to destabilise and hijack the party failed.
