In an apparent wrong move that has further deepened the lingering crisis in the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a caucus of the party believed to be loyalists of the immediate past governor of the state and Minister of Maritime and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday slammed indefinite suspension on another batch of 26 members of the APC loyal to another former governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The State Executive Committee of the Osun State chapter of the APC announced the suspension of several former office holders many of who served during the eight-year tenure of Aregbesola over what the state chairman of APC in Osun State, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, called “anti-party activities.”
Among those allegedly suspended were a former State Chairman of APC, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi; former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salami; some former Commissioners, a former Senator, Mudasiru Hussain and several former members of the state House of Assembly.
Announcing the purported suspension of the party members in a statement, Lawal stated that the the action of the APC State Executive Council was sequel to alleged complaints of anti-party activities against the persons and the the investigation of the complaints by a Disciplinary Committee alleged to have been set up to investigate the allegations.
The statement read: “Following complaints of anti-party activities, the State Executive Committee of the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) constituted a Disciplinary Committee to investigate the allegations against some of its members.
“This disciplinary measure came in response to the allegations of misconduct bordering on factionalization of the party and creating parallel party organ.
“The Disciplinary Committee undertook a thorough and impartial review of the allegations and the findings were carefully deliberated upon by the State Executive Committee.
“After a comprehensive assessment of the evidence and consideration of the committee’s recommendations, the State Executive Committee has taken the difficult yet necessary step of suspending the following members indefinitely:Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Hon. Najeem Salami, Senator Mudasiru Hussain, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa, Mr. Sikiru Ayedun, Engr. Kazeem Salami, Alhaji Adesiji Azeez, Barr. Gbenga Akano, Mr. Kunle Ige, Mr. Biodun Agboola, Barr. Gbenga Awosode, and Mr. Rasheed Opatola.
The others are; Hon. Gbenga Ogunkanmi, Hon. Israel Oyekunle, Hon. MBO Ibraheem, Mr. Akeem Olaoye, Hon. Francis Famurewa, Hon. Tajudeen Famuyide, Hon. (Mrs.) Adenike Abioye, Hon. Wasiu Adebayo, Hon. Rasheed Afolabi, Mr. Segun Olanibi, Mr. Tunde Ajilore, Mr Ganiyu Ismaila Opeyemi, and Mr Zakariah Khalid, Olaoluwa-South LCDA.”
Lawala enjoined members of the APC in the state to “remain focused on our goals and continue working together to serve the interests of our constituents and our State.
“Our commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and adherence to our party’s core values remains unwavering.”
