By Kolawole Ojebisi
The All Progressives Congress has expelled a former Osun state governor, and an erstwhile close political ally to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, from the party over alleged anti-party activities.
Aregbesola, who is a former Minister of Interior, served as governor of Osun State for two terms after winning a protracted legal tussle to reclaim his mandate from his predecessor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
He, however, spearheaded a faction within the APC known as The Osun Progressives which was later rebranded as the Omoluabi Caucus.
But on Sunday, the Omoluabi Caucus held a meeting presided over by Aregbesola, where the group announced its decision to exit the APC.
The group cited the party’s waning influence in Osun among other reasons for its decision. However, three days after the Omoluabi Caucus meeting, the APC has shown Aregbesola the door out of the party.
The expulsion is contained in a letter from the APC leadership released to newsmen on Wednesday.
The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” accused him of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members.
The letter read in part, “At the end of the investigation, the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee. Having carefully reviewed the findings and recommendations, the SEC resolved to approve your immediate expulsion from the APC.
“The decision was predicated on clear evidence of your actions, which undermined the unity and integrity of the party. As a result, you are no longer a member of the APC and must refrain from holding yourself out as one or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity.”
