FEATURE: 100 Ex-PDP, Accord Members Join Omoluabi Progressives

• Decampees Possess Grit, Experience To Lead Caucus To Victory – Aregbesola

• Membership Registration Turnout Impressive – Adesiji

• Jitters In Osun APC, PDP Over Caucus’s Activities

IT is a common saying in politics that “While the people seek and yearn for development, politicians think of the next elections.” The saying denotes a few things particularly the notion that while others are sleeping in the comfort of their homes, politicians are awake in the dead of the night strategising ahead of the next elections.

The characteristic nature of powerplay anywhere in the world is the alignment and realignment of forces, which determines the scheme of things especially the turn of events in an election. The fact that politics remains a game of numbers where the majority takes the lead makes it interesting and breathes life into the political process with everyone wanting to participate.

The 2026 governorship election in Osun State is two years away. But like the maxim, “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance,” states, political gladiators are already pushing for the Bola Ige House, through several meetings, the formation of caucuses, and defections from parties to their opponents, among others.

One of those movements seeking to return to the Oke-Fia Government House is the Omoluabi Progressives, currently a caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Formed on August 22, 2023, the caucus according to its patron, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the only two-term governor in the state so far is to breed competence, character, and integrity in leadership, learning from the mistakes of the party’s defeat in 2022, and charting the course for the ‘true’ progressives to reclaim power.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that since its inauguration and the subsequent emergence of its leaders across the state, the caucus has begun activities in preparation for the next festival of democracy. Starting with a tour of the nine federal constituencies, the Omoluabi Progressives traversed the length and breadth of the state, reassuring members of a better deal when the tendency achieves its aim of wrestling power in two years.

Also, the caucus at every of its monthly stakeholders meeting held regularly in Ilesa, welcomed new members from all other political tendencies in the state – the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the Accord Party, the IleriOluwa wing of the Osun APC led by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, and others.

At its last three stakeholder meetings on May 01, June 2nd, and June 30, 2024, more than a hundred (100) grassroots politicians from within the APC and outside the party from the unit, ward, local government, federal constituency, and senatorial district levels have signified their intention to join the rave of the moment.

READ: Stakeholders Meeting: Omoluabi Progressives Welcomes New Members

Some of the new entrants into the fold include a former federal lawmaker, Hon. Tajudeen Adetunji Ajagbe who represented Ede, Egbedore, and Ejigbo federal constituency from 2011 to 2015, Chief Sakariyau Oyedeji Mabroo – a former PDP and Accord Party chieftain in Osogbo, as well as Hon. Segun Ojewumi, a former member of the Osun State House of Assembly from the IleriOluwa camp of the APC.

Others are; Bamidele Tope (PDP, Olorunda LG), Mrs Dauda Titilayo, an APC member from Atakunmosa West local government, Pastor Adenigba Adebayo (APC) from Obokun local government, Chief Kareem Mukaila, the Balogun of Sekona from Ward 8 in Ede South local government, Alhaji Isa Egunjobi (APC) of Ward 4, Ede South LG, Hon. Anthony Akinola, and Hon. Folasade Oyedotun who served as councillors in the Aregbesola administration from Orolu LG.

Hon. Mustapha Adebowale, Mr Azeez Badmus, Mr. Oyetunji Sunday and Mr. Sunday Olalekan (Ward 8), Mr. Adewole Omololu, Mr. Ayoade Adegoke, and Mrs Adelakun Olawumi (Ward 7), as well as Hon Ibrahim Victoria from Ward 1 who are PDP members in Ejigbo local government area of the state also joined the Omoluabi caucus. 

These grassroots politicians and many others numerous too mention have internalised the structure of the tendency from the ward level, and have begun efforts of mobilisation to rally support for the caucus as political activities have begun in the background.

• Decampees Possess Grit, Experience To Lead Caucus To Victory – Aregbesola

Speaking at the events to welcome the decampees, Aregbesola, the immediate-past Minister of Interior noted that they possess the required experience and political capital to clinch victory for the Omoluabi Progressives in the next ballot.

He noted that they are fit to propagate the tendency’s vision of restoring character, competence, and commitment to democratic ideals to the political leadership of the state and the nation at large.  

The former governor of Osun stressed the importance of continuous mobilisation to achieve the caucus objectives of guaranteeing mass prosperity for all. 

Aregbesola said, “I want you all to return home and work more in mobilising political eggheads and grassroots politicians to the fold. The essence of Omoluabi is embedded in our character, competence, and integrity. That is what we should all focus on doing.

“All of you have to work hand-in-hand to ensure that we accommodate many interests and make our tendency more vibrant than before. I know you can’t fail us.

“The new entrants are politicians with value and uncommon grit. I believe that slow and steady wins the race. I am convinced that we are on the right track. With God on our side, we will reach the promised land.”

• Membership Registration Turnout Impressive – Adesiji

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji lauded members for their huge turnout at the ongoing membership registration of the caucus.

Adesiji who commended the commitment of the leadership and members of the group throughout the state, urged them not to renege in their efforts.

He assured the new members of the caucus of fair and equal treatment, just as he admonished them to step up their mobilisation strategies as it will further impact the realisation of the vision of Omoluabi Progressives to reclaim the state in 2026.

The former council chairman said, “I am happy to report that we have made a lot of progress at the ongoing membership registration. Of a heartwarming development is the fact that members from all tendencies in the state have continued to express interest in joining us across the board.

“As of today, our numbers are increasing in every local government. It is as if the people were waiting for Omoluabi with the manner in which people have expressed huge love and solidarity with what our patron and symbol of good governance represents.

“I am also delighted to inform you that we are daily traversing the length and breadth of the state to listen to our members and monitor the progress of the caucus. Be assured that we are ready to support and resolve every issue. By the grace of God, we will return to power in 2026,” the Chairman stated.

• Jitters In Osun APC, PDP Over Caucus’s Activities

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that both the ruling PDP and the IleriOluwa tendency of the All Progressives Congress in Osun have been jittery about the growing popularity of the Omoluabi Caucus.

It was gathered that while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Governor Ademola Adeleke is making frantic efforts to woo the patron of the caucus and members of its apex body to his side, the Oyetola arm of the APC is working assiduously to decimate the caucus on all fronts.

Feelers within the IleriOluwa camp revealed that the camp has been sending emissaries to key figures in the caucus like the former Speaker of Osun Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salaam, former SSG, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Revd. ‘Lowo Adebiyi, Engr. Kazeem Salami, and Abosede Oluwaseun, among others to decimate Aregbesola’s political strength.

Another of the ripples generated within the rank and file of Oyetola’s loyalists was the membership registration of the caucus flagged off by the former Minister and other leaders of the Omoluabi Progressives on June 2nd. Immediately, the APC convoked an emergency stakeholders meeting to report the former governor of Osun to the national headquarters, calling for his sanction over alleged anti-party activities.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that in weeks to come, other bigwigs from the ruling party and other political parties will officially pitch their tent with the Omoluabi Progressives.