Curated from The Nation Newspaper
Loyalists of former Osun State governor and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, on the platform of The Osun Progressives (TOP), in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, have dissolved the group to align with the main party structure.
The faction had since 2021 opposed former governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the chairman of the party in the state, Gboyega Famodun, alleging mismanagement of the party.
Aregbesola’s loyalists led by the former speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam, addressing reporters yesterday, said the faction was dissolved to strengthen the unity of the party.
He expressed displeasure and disappointment about the loss of the governorship election on July 16, describing it as painful and a mere distraction.
Salam said: “We are gathered here today, given the trajectory of our party and the electoral misfortune we suffered in the governorship election of July 16, 2022, leading to our painful loss, to espouse our resolve and the way forward.
“We are here to inform the generality of our members and admirers that the progressive party that promotes their interest, protects their values, and guarantees their rights is alive and ready to champion their cause once again. Our party has a tradition of progressivism dating back to Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group in the First Republic.
“We are conscious of the huge responsibility of history and the support of our sincere and committed progressive leaders and members in Osun State. We declare the cessation of hostilities and invite genuine progressives to an all-inclusive meeting for the rebuilding of our party within the next week.
“We, therefore, extend our hand of fellowship to everyone who is a progressive at heart and loves good governance, in our party, in the other parties, and those who were hitherto not aligned to any party.
“This is a call for unity of purpose in our party and beyond. It is a call for burying the hatchet and working for the greater good and service to humanity through progressive governance.
“I am here to announce the dissolution of factional tendencies of all shades in the party, including The Osun Progressives (TOP), with the sole objective of harmonizing all core Omoluabi progressives on a rebuilding mission that will bring us back to the leadership of our state and people.”
Leaders at the meeting included former chairman of APC, Adelowo Adebiyi; ex- Information commissioner, Lani Baderinwa; former SA, Taxation, Gbenga Akano; ex-lawmaker representing Olorunda, Wasiu Adebayo; former chairman, Ilesha West, Azeez Adesiji, among others.
