The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has been accused of orchestrating a plan to suspend Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior, from the party within the state.

Abosede Oluwaseun, the former factional youth leader of Osun APC, made these allegations in a statement issued on Thursday.

Oluwaseun also issued a warning, stating that any attempt to suspend Aregbesola would have negative consequences.

According to Oluwaseun, “The plot is being orchestrated by ousted former governor Gboyega Oyetola and five of his loyalists, including a Senator and a former Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly who lost their re-election. Other individuals involved in this grand plan are a former commissioner for Works and Transport and a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs who are believed to be the instigators of the suspension idea.”

He further added, “We have credible information that the executives of Ilesa Ward 8 in the APC, which is Aregbesola’s ward, were manipulated yesterday (Wednesday) to sign a blank sheet of paper under the false pretense that it was for the party’s progress. Additionally, we have been reliably informed that a significant sum of money was given to the ward executives a few hours ago by an emissary sent by Oyetola and other conspirators.”

“We note that after various unsuccessful attempts to tarnish Aregbesola’s image, Oyetola and others have resorted to unjustly suspending Aregbesola in an effort to hinder the reconciliation between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Oluwaseun alleged.

However, the Osun APC has denied these allegations and dismissed the viral report that they are planning to suspend Rauf Aregbesola for engaging in anti-party activities.

Tajudeen Lawal, the Chairman of the APC in Osun, released a statement on Friday, describing the claim as false and baseless.

Lawal stated, “The alleged plans to suspend Aregbesola by certain individuals do not hold any credibility and are completely illogical, only to be believed by those with impaired judgment.”

He further questioned whether Aregbesola, as a former minister, can still be considered a legitimate member of the APC in Osun State and other parts of Nigeria, given that he has technically departed from the party for several years.

“It is no secret that Aregbesola and his associates through The Osun Progressives (TOP) have consistently worked against the interests of the APC and its candidates in Osun State. Aregbesola and the members of TOP, of which he was a patron, have transformed themselves into opposition within the Osun APC. They have regularly hurled insults and criticized the government of Oyetola during their weekly meetings at the Oranmiyan House, which serves as Aregbesola’s campaign office in Osogbo,” Lawal stated.

Lawal also claimed that Aregbesola did not vote during the previous presidential, National Assembly, and gubernatorial elections. He also alleged that Aregbesola did not campaign for any APC candidates during the various elections held in the state.

Additionally, Lawal asserted that Aregbesola and his loyalists have been collaborating with Senator Ademola Adeleke, the governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the detriment of all APC candidates.