APC groups in Lagos dissolved as Tinubu cuts Aregbesola ‘to size’

All political groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos have been dissolved.

The Mandate Group and the Justice Forum, the two most powerful groups, will no longer exist, according to the communique issued by the party leaders in the state after a meeting on Tuesday.

This is coming two weeks after Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, reorganised the Mandate Group without the endorsement of Bola Tinubu, national leader of the APC.

The relationship between Tinubu and Rauf Aregbesola, his associate, has been growing cold, TheCable can report.

There are insinuations that Aregbesola, former governor of Osun state, is interested in running for president in 2023 — an ambition that may pit him against Tinubu, who is also believed to be warming up.

Aregbesola has, however, denied nursing any presidential ambition.

But TheCable learnt that the uneasy relationship between Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola, his successor in Osun state, might be a bigger factor.

The Mandate Group — made up of Tinubu’s core loyalists — was relaunched by Aregbesola, who remained as the grand patron, on May 26, 2020.

Abdullahi Enilolobo, the APC organising secretary in the state, was picked as the new chairman and James Odunmbaku was moved up as the “apex leader”.

Enilolobo is a known loyalist of Aregbesola.

The relaunch took place at his Ikeja GRA residence.

‘APC IS ONE GROUP, ONE FAMILY’

In the communique signed by 27 party chieftains who are members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), they said “it was unequivocally resolved that all factions like JG and MG are inimical to party unity and are hereby permanently disbanded and prohibited within the party.

“Party members should no longer make use of these factions or their names with regard to future party business and activities. To continue to hold meetings in the name of these groups or to continue to promote such associations will amount to a violation of this resolution.

“The only permitted use of the names will be limited to historic references. Any violation of this decision is subject to party discipline, including suspension and expulsion. This prohibition extends solely to official party business. We are in no way trying to abridge anyone’s constitutional rights to free speech or assembly. The party chairman is hereby tasked with promulgating more detailed regulations with regard to prohibited and permissible activities for sub-party groupings.

“The party remains supreme. It has developed structures from the ward level to local government and state levels. These are recognized by the party’s constitution. They are adequate platforms for members to congregate and to present their views.

“The APC in Lagos is one party and one family. We must always act in this spirit if we are to attain the dream of democratic prosperity that we set out to achieve. We must do this in honor of June 12 and those who gave of themselves to make democracy our reality.”

Signatories to the communique include Tinubu, Babajide Sanwoolu, the state governor, Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and Babatunde Raji Fashola, both former governors.

Others are: Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, Henry Oladele Ajomale, Bushura Alebiosu, Abiodun Ogunleye, Murphy Adetoro, James Odunmbaku, Tony Adefuye, S. A. Seriki, Olorunfunmi Bashorun, Rabiu Oluwa, M.A. Taiwo, Mutiu Lawal Are, Yomi Finnih, Muyiwa Sosanya, Tunde Samuel, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Rasak Lanre, Mudashiru Adisa Obasa (speaker), Babatunde Balogun, Wale Edun, Ranti Adebule and Kemi Nelson.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with more information.