- Ismaeel Uthman
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State is now shredded, following the suspension and expulsion of some founding fathers and other members of the party by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led leadership.
The crisis rocking the party climaxed on Wednesday and Thursday with the suspension of two former chairmen of the party, former speaker of the house of assembly and other loyalists of the immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, yesterday, the party claimed that the leaders were suspended for anti-party activities.
Leading the list of the APC leaders suspended are Alhaji Moshood Adeoti who was chairman of Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress and Action Congress of Nigeria between 2003 and 2011, Elder Lowo Adebiyi, pioneer chairman of APC in the state, the immediate past Deputy Chairman of the party, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji.
Also suspended are ex-Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, former National Assembly members, Senator Mudasiru Hussein and Hon. Rasheed Afolabi, immediate past Deputy Chief Whip of assembly, Hon. Abidemi Ogunkanmi, ex-chairman, House Committee on Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adebayo, former state lawmakers, Hon. Adenike Abioye, Hon. MBO Ibrahim and Hon. Israel Oyekunle.
Other loyalists of Aregbesola suspended by the APC are: Messrs. Adelani Baderinwa, Sikiru Ayedun, Kunle Ige, Biodun Agboola, Rasheed Opatola, Akeem Olaoye, Segun Olanibi, Tunde Ajilore, Ganiyu Ismaila Opeyemi, Zakariah Khalid, Engr. Kazeem Salami, Barr. Gbenga Akano, Barr. Gbenga Awosode, Francis Famurewa and Tajudeen Famuyide.
Lawal had on Wednesday announced the expulsion of former secretary of the party, Hon. Rasaq Salinsile together with 83 others, including the current Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr. Biyi Odunlade and Special Adviser to the Governor on Children Affairs, Alhaja Temilade Olokungboye.
Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that none of the suspended and expelled APC members was invited to appear before any disciplinary committee of the party, nor confronted either formally or informally with any allegations.
The medium reliably gathered that except Salinsile, all other members of the APC whose expulsion was announced on Wednesday, were evicted for taking political appointments under Governor Ademola Adeleke administration.
Investigations revealed that 81 of the expelled APC members are members of the newly constituted caretaker committees in their various local governments.
When contacted, Adebiyi and Baderinwa who are leaders of Omoluabi caucus of APC, said they would respond appropriately to the action of the party.
