The former Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, has stated that ex-Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, is no longer a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as reported by Punch.
Adeleke made this statement during the Osun Central Senatorial meeting of the APC held in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
Adeleke, who served in the cabinet of ex-governor Adegboyega Oyetola, stated that serious members of the party in the state were cognizant of Aregbesola's current non-membership status within the APC. This revelation comes amidst a backdrop of strained relations between Aregbesola and Oyetola, which escalated before the 2022 governorship election.
The rift between the two former governors deepened when Oyetola openly endorsed another candidate, Mr. Moshood Adeoti, during the 2022 poll, in contrast to Aregbesola's interests. Oyetola's subsequent loss to Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) exacerbated the tensions, leaving the discord unresolved.
During the senatorial meeting, attended by prominent figures including APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and representatives from the district's 10 local government areas, Adeleke reiterated that the recognized ex-governors within the Osun APC are Chief Bisi Akande and Oyetola.
Adeleke stated, “They said in our party in Osun, we have two former governors, we have Chief Bisi Akande and ex-governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
“Someone asked about ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola, and my response is that all members of the APC know that Aregbesola presently is not a member of our party.”