Osun APC: Rebuilding for Future Election Success, By Oluwaseun Abosede

In a democracy, the primary objective of every political party is to secure victory in elections and subsequently assume governance to enact policies in line with its ideology. However, achieving this goal is no easy feat, as the adage goes, “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” In democratic systems, electoral success hinges on amassing the majority of votes, whether by a simple majority or a two-thirds majority, making numerical strength paramount. Consequently, a savvy political party must diligently work to expand its membership and maintain the support of its well-wishers, ensuring they play a pivotal role in securing electoral victories.

Regrettably, recent developments within the Osun APC do not inspire confidence that the party is prepared to reclaim its lost ground. Reports have emerged that hundreds of APC members aligned with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola were either expelled or suspended from the party a few weeks ago. Additionally, a video surfaced featuring the current Minister of Blue Marine and former Governor, Adegboye Oyetola, proclaiming a policy of expelling or suspending party members who do not pledge allegiance to their caucus. Furthermore, Oyetola has spoken of his three-year reconciliation efforts with his estranged leader, Rauf. As a discerning observer, it is essential to analyze these events in context and assess the evidence at hand.

Upon delving into the archives, I uncovered the following sequence of events:

On December 20th, 2019, Rauf Aregbesola was installed as the Amirul Waziril-Muminina of Osun State. The absence of Oyetola and all state functionaries at this event marked the beginning of an openly frosty relationship, even though Rauf defended Oyetola’s absence. Notably, Jamiu Olawumi, Oyetola’s Special Adviser on Education, posted a cryptic message on his Facebook wall that day, stating, “The rug always has an owner. It is always regimented. There is a Sheriff in town.”

Oyetola declined to invite, let alone honor, his predecessor at the 30th anniversary of the creation of Osun State, while other past Governors, including those from opposing parties, were invited and recognized.

The beating of Olateju Ishola, Rauf’s Personal Assistant, and his aides on March 28, 2021, at Firewood Bar & Lounge in Osogbo, allegedly by thugs loyal to Oyetola’s caucus, raised concerns. Subsequent events only heightened anxieties.

On August 14, 2021, during the submission of petitions to the APC National Secretariat’s Congress Appeal Committee, thugs wearing “4+4” caps, identifying them as Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s loyalists, attacked Rauf’s caucus at the APC Secretariat in Osogbo. This incident led to the arrest of leaders, including Alhaji Salinsile, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo, Barr. Gbenga Akano, and four others, were unjustly charged and labeled troublemakers.

The following day, on August 15, 2021, the same group of thugs attacked Rauf’s campaign office, Oranmiyan House. Similar attacks occurred on September 4, 2021, against APC members loyal to Rauf in Ede North during a local government meeting and on September 13, 2021, in Ile-Ife during a ward meeting. On the night of August 26, 2021, I and my wife were subjected to harassment and torture in our home in front of our children due to my role as the custodian of TOP registered members’ documents. These attacks persisted, with two persons injured during a state congress in Ogo Oluwa on October 16, 2021.

On November 18, 2021, gunmen fired into a crowd at Oranmiyan House during a party meeting. Further violence erupted on February 1, 2022, when thugs stormed a meeting of APC members in Ìkìrun, leading to the unjust arrest of four party members loyal to Rauf, who were detained for weeks.

As the state’s backing for non-state actors became increasingly evident, a group went as far as attempting to burn down Oranmiyan House on November 18, 2021, during a meeting of Rauf’s faction. History records an alleged shooting incident involving Rauf Aregbesola, serving as a Minister, on February 13, 2022, allegedly orchestrated by Asiri Eniba, Oyetola’s chief thug, in Oke-fia, Osogbo. These unfortunate events persisted until the gubernatorial election on July 16, 2022.

Following their electoral defeat, the Osun APC established a Reconciliation Committee. In its recently submitted report, the committee affirmed former Governor Oyetola as the leader of Osun APC and recommended reconciliation with all party members. However, on the same day, the affirmed party leader, in a widely circulated video, declared that loyalists of Rauf Aregbesola would henceforth face suspension from the party.

As of now, hundreds of Aregbe’s loyalists have been either expelled or suspended from the party by fiat. Politics necessitates compromise, inclusivity, and tolerance of diverse factions, all in pursuit of the ultimate goal: winning elections. Osun APC’s recent pattern of purging party members suspected of loyalty to Ogbeni Aregbesola, who are now perceived as adversaries within the same party, raises serious concerns. Any political party that continues along this path risks weakening its chances of electoral success, both in the present and the future.

 

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not represent the opinions or views of Osun Defender