Why We Chose Omoluabi Progressives Over PDP – Aregbesola’s Loyalists
Loyalists of the immediate past Minister of Interior and former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, have explained why they opted for the Omoluabi Progressives caucus rather than defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after their fallout with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Speaking on a radio programme on Monday, the Organising and Publicity Secretary of the Omoluabi Progressives, Abosede Oluwaseun, said the movement emerged out of years of internal marginalisation and deliberate exclusion of Aregbesola’s loyalists by the former Governor Gboyega Oyetola-led administration.
“Everything has a way it should be done. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is a master of politics who understands timing. Omoluabi Progressives is not yet a political party, it is a movement — a large one — and it includes members from APC, PDP, and others,” Abosede said.
According to him, the group remained within the APC fold despite repeated acts of political hostility, hoping for reconciliation, but the leadership of the party chose to alienate them.
“The reason we left APC was because the former Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, and the then APC Chairman, Gboyega Famodun, made it clear they didn’t want us. They drove out our leaders and made it impossible for us to operate within the party,” he stated.
Abosede recalled that at the end of Aregbesola’s two-term tenure, he had suggested that the next governorship candidate should emerge from Osun West Senatorial District, but the party’s national leader, now President Bola Tinubu, overruled the idea and pushed for Oyetola.
“We accepted Oyetola and supported him, only for him to later turn around and persecute those loyal to Aregbesola. Despite the oppression, we stayed, insisting on unity, but they continued to shut us out,” he explained.
He noted that the creation of Omoluabi Progressives was a response to continued exclusion, not an act of betrayal to the APC.
“They thought we would run to the PDP. But we didn’t. We chose to form something of our own — a principled platform rooted in progressive values.”
Abosede stressed that Omoluabi Progressives is currently a political movement but may evolve into a party in the future.
“For now, we’re building strength and structure. The movement reflects the true ideals of Aregbesola’s political philosophy,” he added.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
