Osun APC asks court to ban Aregbesola’s ‘illegal’ faction

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has asked the court to prohibit a caucus within the party established by Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior.

In August 2023, Aregbesola launched a caucus called “Omoluabi” within the APC in Osun state.

The former minister had said that the caucus is not a faction and that members are “genuine foundation” members of the party.

Aggrieved by the establishment of the caucus, the party, through its counsels — Ayodele Kusamotu, Yemi Akingbade, R. Oloyede and B. Nwayen — approached the federal high court in Osogbo with a suit filed on January 4.

In the suit, the party joined Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rasheed Afolabi, and Lani Baderinwa, a former commissioner of information in Osun.

The party argued that the launch of a political group in the APC with the use of the party’s logo and slogan is a breach of its constitution and that of the nation.

The party averred that Aregbesola does not have the constitutional powers to launch a faction within the party, adding that the faction should be declared illegal.

The APC asked the court to restrain Aregbesola and his loyalists from further creating any political group within the party.

The party also prayed that the court should restrain INEC from recognising or accepting any convention or congress organised by Aregbesola and his faction.

The party sought “general damages of N5m jointly or severally against the 2nd-4th defendants in favour of the plaintiff”.

“That 2nd-4th Defendants cannot launch a parallel political or a factional political group or association similar or in the same name of the plaintiff, to be holding a political meeting with the logo, symbol and slogan of the plaintiff without registration with the 1st Defendant,” the suit reads.

“In compliance with the provisions of sections 221 and 222 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and provisions of sections 75(1)(2)(3) and 79(1)(2)(a)(b)(c) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from attending or recognising or accepting any congress or convention held or to be held by the 2nd-4th Defendants and any other persons associating with them in their factional and parallel political group or association.

“For the purpose of inaugurating or constituting the Executive Council or Committee of the Plaintiff at any level or nominating candidates for any elective positions under the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in the name or on the platform of the plaintiff.”

BACKGROUND

Over the past few years, Osun APC has been enmeshed in a leadership tussle between the faction loyal to Aregbesola and that loyal to Gboyega Oyetola, former governor of the state.

The leadership crisis in the state contributed to the defeat of the party in the Osun governorship election of 2022.

Oyetola, then incumbent governor on the platform of the APC, lost his re-election to Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The faction led by Aregbesola refused to work for the party during the 2022 election.