…as party welcomes businessman, Samuel Adeyemi, supporters in Igbaye
Chairman, Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal has described the exit of the former Governor of the State and immediate past Minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola and his supporters as a great relief to the progressive family in the state and beyond.
This is just as the leadership of the party formally welcomed a renowned businessman, Prince Samuel Adeyemi Ojo into the progressive family in Igbaye, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun.
Speaking in Igbaye, the APC State Chairman said the Aregbesola’s exit calls for celebration as it remains a good riddance to bad rubbish saying “it would pave way for the party to know its genuine members for future political engagement”.
Lawal who was represented by the Party Treasurer, Prince Olufemi Kujembola recalled frantic efforts made by the party leadership to tolerate Aregbesola and his supporters since 2022 noting that their public declaration of exiting the party was a clear indication that they were enemies within that had worked against the success of the party over the years.
“It is no longer news that Aregbesola and his cohorts have left the party since 2022. It is just that the leadership of our party has been so magnanimous and tolerant all these days otherwise their exit would have been made public far before now. As a matter of fact, they have gone since and we don’t see them as part of us anymore.
“Everyone knows that they left APC even before 2022. We only allowed them to stay just because we thought they would have a rethink and retrace their steps in order to resolve whatever they claimed. But quite unfortunate, that gave them the opportunity, that is why they have been working against the party within.
“So, for them to have declared publicly their exit and that they are no longer in APC, it is glaring now that there is no way to further tolerate them as we used to do in the past with intentions that they may change their way. Leaving the party is nothing to fear about and we have nothing to fear. Since they declared their exit, a lot of their followers have been coming back to the party. It is even good that they have finally gone as this would help us to plan our programmes very well as we are ready to take over the government come 2026”, he added.
Reacting to the Ojo’s declaration in joining the progressive family, Lawal said the development further validates the claim that Osun APC has been gaining momentums and waxing stronger day-in-day-out.
“This portrays the wide acceptance of our party in Osun state despite the fact that we are in the opposition. It is a testimony to the fact that the people still believe so much in the federal government’s policies and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rebuild our country. I was in Ilesa West Local Government just yesterday, where thousands of people who were former members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP joined the APC.
“So, the rate at which people are crossing to our party is not only interesting but encouraging to the extent that we receive members of the PDP and others virtually every day. To us, it is a signal that we are coming back to government and we are formidably committed to take over the mantle of leadership come 2026.
“The gale of defection is also a sign that people still love our party despite the fact that the current government has been deceiving and cajoling them since 2022. But good enough, the people know the truth and they are coming to the party that means well for them.
“Today, we are receiving a group of people here in Igbaye who are coming into APC and this further validates our confidence and assurance of returning to government come 2026”, he said.
Earlier, the APC Chieftain, Chief Shuaibu Oyedokun expressed delight in the large number of quality people particularly younger ones who have been joining the party in recent times, saying the party has been recruiting younger ones to strengthen political system, philosophy and ideology.
According to him, the moving of younger ones into politics would further help to build a formidable frontier for the progressive party as this would go a long way to widen the winning chances of the party in the future elections.
“People like me have been in politics for some times now- over 40 years, and we are aiming fast to ensure that the party doesn’t die, that is why we have been recruiting younger ones into politics, give them correct orientation and induct them into the system to see that our party doesn’t die.
“To help those who are joining the party, we have to develop a doctrine, a philosophy that the younger ones would follow and by our example, they would do well. Whatever we do would attract people that is why we must be their role models. Our example would definitely attract them that is why it is important to develop a philosophy which would bring unity, peace, harmony and togetherness.
“As we can see, people are just moving here and there and we can’t force them, the Constitution allows anyone to join any political party, but with right ideology, they would be attracted to continue to join the party. That is why we are recruiting younger ones so that they would develop the ideology that would further stabilize the political system and governance in the state and beyond”, he added.
Speaking on what informs his declaration to join the APC in the state, Prince Samuel Adeyemi Ojo attributed his decision to the good governance and starling performance of the national government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I am pleased with wonders being done by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have seen that he really meant well for the people and that is why I am joining the party. I have seen what they are doing at the national level and that is why I have decided to join the party right in my town.
“So also, I have seen the great things the party is doing in the state and we are ready to join the good job they are doing. We will continue to encourage our youths by empowering them. We will do everything humanly possible to work with other members of the party to return APC to government by 2026”, he said.
In their separate remarks, APC Chairman in Odo-Otin Local Government, Alhaji Jimoh Aasa; former Chairman Odo-Otin Local Government, Hon. Debo Olaoye; former State Lawmaker, Hon. Lekan Oyediran; Hon. Aliyu Oluwole; Alhaja Bintu Dada, among other stakeholders in Odo-Otin, lauded Ojo’s declaration to join the progressive family in the state describing the move as a welcome development.
