Referendum Report: Aregbesola’s Supporters Finally Announce Decision To Leave APC

The Omoluabi Progressives, a group comprising members of Osun state APC who are loyalists of former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has announced the decision to leave the party.

The group made this known in a statement issued by its Organizing and Publicity Secretary, Abosede Oluwaseun after an important meeting that was held in Ilesa on Sunday.

The Omoluabi Progressives though did not disclose their new party but however accused the state APC leaders of not treating them fairly.

‘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 continued denigration of the structure, among others.

Leaders of the group took a voice vote, and the members affirmed their readiness to switch allegiance to another political camp ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state’ the statement said.

The statement  also disclosed that former governor Rauf Aregbesola while addressing  members of the group commended them for the unity in reaching the resolution to quit the APC, noting that ‘ it is time to work aggressively for the success of Omoluabi Progressives and its vision to entrench good governance in Osun’.

‘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 a smooth path, 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 a leadership that will make Osun the toast of its peers. By the grace of God, we shall succeed’ Aregbesola was quoted as saying.

 ‘For us, the journey to reclaim Osun is a joint task. Be assured that we are ready to always accommodate your interests. What we want from you is your commitment to our ideals so that we can join hands together to restore Osun to good governance in 2026’ Chairman of the group, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, also submitted.

The development recorded on Sunday which had since dominated discussions in  Osun State ‘political circle’, has also returned attention to a contentious issue- Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s continued membership of the APC.

While awaiting events that will unfold in the coming days, many will definitely look forward to having Aregbesola’s letter of resignation from the APC being one of the party’s bigwigs who cannot quit APC via a press statement by the group.

 Recall that Alhaji Basiru Ajibola, who is the APC National Secretary,  had while talking to journalists in Osogbo last year said ‘our party is a party of leadership , as of today, there are two former governors in our party; Baba Bisi Akande and  Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola’ and when asked while he did not include Aregbesola’s name ‘go and ask him which party he belongs to’ he had responded.

‘I am the National Secretary of APC, and I know that we have been involved in a series of elections, and he has never participated in any election in the state since 2022, I don’t know which party he belongs to’ Ajibola had also added.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the decision taken by the Omoluabi Progressives to leave the APC was sequel to the referendum conducted by leaders of the group which had supporters of the minister in the 323 Wards participating.

The group has members in all the wards in the state and a new member is required to pay N200 for the membership form while a strong Disciplinary Committee is also put in place at the state level.

Sources also told our reporter that it is not certain that the group would be joining PDP as no definitive decision has been taken on the issue adding that the leaders are still weighing their options-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you