The former Osun State governor Rauf Aregebsola’s camp is facing allegations of factionalization within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, which has brought them before the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
The Osun APC has also asked the court to label Aregebsola’s Omoluabi Caucus as anti-party and unlawful.
In Monday’s affidavit filed by the party’s lawyer, Ayodele Kusamotu, this was revealed by Waheed Adeniran, the Assistant Secretary of the Osun APC.
Additionally named as a defendant in the case with the case number FHC/OS/CS/1/2024 is the Independent National Electoral Commission, popularly known as INEC.
The list of defendants also includes Rasheed Afolabi, a former member of the House of Representatives, and Lani Baderinwa, who was the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Aregbesola’s cabinet.
Osun APC asked the court to issue a permanent restraining order prohibiting the first defendant from participating in any congress or convention organized by the second to fourth defendants and anyone else associated with them in their parallel political group.
The purpose of these gatherings is to establish the plaintiff’s executive council or committee or to nominate candidates for elective positions under the plaintiff’s name or platform, as stated in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution (as amended).
Additionally, they requested a court order that would forbid the defendants 2-4 from forming a political group called Omoluabi Progressives (APC) using the plaintiff’s registered logo, emblem, and slogan, as well as a name that was close to or the same as the plaintiff’s.
“General damages of N5 million [to the plaintiff] against the second through fourth defendants, either jointly or severally.”
Upon being approached, Lowo Adebiyi, a former chairman of the Osun APC and current head of the Omoluabi Caucus, stated that the group has not received any paperwork from the Federal High Court.
And when they do serve us, we will respond appropriately, he said.
The Osun APC regressed into a new crisis after Aregbesola, the former interior minister, convened the Omoluabi Caucus in Ilesa in August 2023, as reported by the MISMOB.
Aregbesola created The Osun Progressives, TOP, before the Osun gubernatorial and general elections. This group was perceived by many as competing with the IleriOluwa faction of the previous state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
Mismob Media