Osun APC: How  Basiru Ajibola Warned Aregbesola Against ‘Potentially Destructive’ Intraparty Conflict In 2021 Letter

Issues centering on the intraparty conflict in the Osun state APC which had begun before the 2022 governorship election and its negative aftereffects, once again, came to the fore during the weekend.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that a resurfaced letter cautioning the former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola against taking steps that will promote intraparty conflict in the state APC has become a subject of discussion.

 The letter in question was  sent to the former governor by Barrister Bashiru  Ajibola, who represented Osun Central in the senate between 2019 and 2023.

The former senator, a one-time Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Osun state, in the letter titled ‘Position Paper on the state of the party in Osun’ which was  dated March 8, 2021, had warned Aregbesola that intraparty conflict would adversely affect the state APC and might ultimately get the party out of power.

In the 5-page letter, the ex-Senate spokesman, while noting that politics ‘is a marathon race and not a sprint’ further urged Aregbesola to stop social media and conventional media attacks on the Oyetola administration  so as to allow the party to remain focused and prepare adequately for the rounds of elections that were to follow.

He  had equally appealed to  Aregbesola to approach the political processes and developments with some tact and not take ‘drastic steps that may irreversibly lead to possible mutual destruction’.

‘We must remind ourselves that  Osun APC  is very important and strategic to the composition of the party nationally.  Firstly, it remains the home of our key leaders – Chief Bisi Akande and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who are major players in the party. 

Secondly, apart from Lagos, Osun would be the launch-pad for  Asiwaju’s candidacy if eventually the presidency is zoned to the South-West. It is therefore incumbent on leaders of the party to narrow down their differences rather than fuel the crisis so that we can maintain a united force in pursuance of a common goal.

A proposition to work on a possible parallel slate will only amount to open declaration of faction. I believe strongly that factionalisation and infighting will adversely affect the party at either side of the divide. We have invested too much to risk putting the party out of power by omission or commission. 

One of the important lessons I learn from my leaders including you is the need for cohesiveness of the party. The past few weeks and critical introspection based on observable facts have afforded me the opportunity to examine the state of the party and I wish to state that the problems of the party in the state, whatever it is, cannot be regarded as insurmountable.

Whether envisaged or not the proposition ultimately may set up a process that will have to contend with the apparently known position of the national leadership of the tendency on the congress and 2022 contest. I would not know whether this consequence is desired and desirable.

Such a move would lead to unnecessary attacks from within Osun and others outside Osun who may want to cash in on the seeming crisis to undermine Ogbeni’s position. 

I was shocked that some of our people are planning on defecting to PDP and in fact are already holding meetings with them. 

There is absolutely no reason to have a parallel structure since, to the best of my knowledge; we clearly have no candidate to field for 2022.

I believe that without open declaration of open contestation and the attendant possible acrimony some of our people who are committed to working in their areas will emerge at their respective wards and local governments.  

Unnecessary public utterances (either in conventional or social media) should be absolutely avoided even in the face of provocation and unwarranted attack. Such attacks are not effective against a settled popularity and calculated distraction. I think we should approach the political processes and developments tactfully and not to take drastic steps that may irreversibly lead to possible mutual destruction’  Basiru had further submitted- Team@orientactualmags.com
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