The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has initiated legal action against former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, accusing him of creating a faction within the party.
In a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Osogbo, the Osun APC, through its assistant secretary, Waheed Adeniran, alleges that Aregbesola’s formation of a group called Omoluabi Caucus constitutes an act of anti-party.
The suit, marked FHC/OS/CS/1/2024, lists the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), former House of Representatives member Rasheed Afolabi, and ex-Commissioner for Information Lani Baderinwa as defendants. The APC seeks a declaration from the court that Aregbesola’s actions are anti-party and a perpetual injunction against him from participating in any congress or convention held by the defendants.
Additionally, the plaintiff requests an order restraining the defendants from operating a factional political group impersonating the APC. The Osun APC is also seeking general damages of N5 million against Afolabi and Baderinwa.
In response, Lowo Adebiyi, the leader of the Omoluabi Caucus supported by Aregbesola, stated that they had not been served and would respond appropriately when served.
Last year, Aregbesola launched the Omoluabi Caucus, drawing members from each of the 332 wards in the state. The Osun APC leadership, including chairman Tajudeen Lawal, warned against joining Aregbesola’s caucus, questioning the timing of its formation when there was no impending election.
The legal action reflects the internal turmoil within the Osun APC, with the party aiming to curtail the perceived factional activities led by Aregbesola and his associates.
But Osun APC leadership, in a statement by its chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, in reaction to the development, warned members of the party against joining Aregbesola’s Omoluabi Caucus.
“What informed the formation of a group by Aregbesola now when there is no election around the corner?” APC queried.
“It is disheartening and disgusting that Aregbesola could stoop so low to have relegated himself to a sectional APC leader in Ilesa,” the statement partly read.
