- Sodiq Yusuf
Scores of Nigerians on social media have reacted to the mass suspension and expulsion of members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that members who were suspended and expelled from the party are loyalists of the former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Recall that 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, a lackey of Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, 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.
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.
Reactions On Social Media
Many Nigerians on Twitter have taken to the platform to express their dismay on the party leadership’s decision.
A Twitter user @Abiola389 said, “In all fairness, there should be nothing like anti-party in APC. We should follow the example of the party leader who is the president. These days, we actually don’t know which part the president belong. In Oyo state, he is more of Accord and PDP, likewise in other states.”
Also, @mrlurvy, said , “I have an unpopular opinion about Osun APC’s decision to suspend members for anti-party activities. Anti-party activities refer to actions taken by politicians that undermine the interests of their political parties. Applying this definition, numerous leaders seem guilty of…”
I have an unpopular opinion about Osun APC’s decision to suspend members for anti-party activities.
Anti-party activities refer to actions taken by politicians that undermine the interests of their political parties.
Applying this definition, numerous leaders seem guilty of…
— Akin Akinwale (@mrlurvy) August 31, 2023
@Exifam, said, “Jagaban sef suppose collect suspension for his doings in Oyo and Rivers.”
@IrewoleApc, said, “How can you claim to be a party member yet everyday and at every opportunity working towards the downfall of the party…. From “suspension”, those who really love the party will appeal…”
@RodemiF, said, “It will definitely be unpopular. But there must be consequences for actions. They needs not be slapped in the wrist because they’ll do worst things. Imagine some of them who were denigrating PBAT during the campaigns. Making them scapegoat is in order.”
@I_am_ade_tao, said, “Osun APC issues have gone beyond the knowledge of the current chairman I think the national should interfere with the matter or else bye-bye to APC in Osun State.”
