“Political Novice Who Lost Power” – Aregbesola’s Group Throws Mud As Membership Drive Intensifies

“We urge our teeming followers, lovers and followers not to be distracted by the ranting of the naysayers to the Progressivism ideas as laid down by our political fathers. This same set of political novice had ran down the progressive party and lost power under their watch in 2018”, Omoluabi Progressives the political caucus founder by former Governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola declared on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

The political caucus founded on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, officially started its membership drive on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Aregbesola who founded the group in the face of intended supremacy tussle that took control of the All Progressives Congress – which he groomed in Osun state – was one of the first members to be officially registered on Saturday.

The statement urging “teeming followers, lovers not to be distracted” is a reaction to emerging claims about the membership drive from the other side.

Though no names were mentioned, checks revealed that Aregbesola and his followers stayed away from supporting the re-election of his successor Gboyega Oyetola in 2019 and he lost the Osun state gubernatorial election to incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the rival People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Although he lost the election, Oyetola retains firm control of the APC in Osun state leaving Aregbesola no room to maneuver within the party.

The launch of the Omoluabi Progressives returned Aregbesola to reckoning with the ongoing membership drive boosting his status and narratives of intentional moves to determine who becomes the next Governor of Osun state.

Although Aregbesola has refused to address claims that he is no longer a member of the APC, the Omoluabi Progressives in a statement signed by organizing and publicity secretary, Abosede Oluwaseun and dated June 5, 2024, declared its mission as ” to empower communities and champion progressive ideals to create a more just, equitable, and prosperous society. Omoluabi Caucus is dedicated to upholding the ideals of progressivism as exemplified by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Chief Bola Ige, and other visionary leaders who have shaped our political heritage”.

The members of APC with Aregbesola as a founding member pride themselves as “progressives”.