– of his political movement, Omoluabi Progressives Caucus
Rauf Aregbesola has emphasized the objectives of his political movement, Omoluabi Progressives Caucus.
“Our shared goal remains clear: to reclaim our dear state and nation for progress, unity, and holistic development,” the immediate past Minister for Interior stressed while providing an update on the political group’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting in Osun State.
Omoluabi Progressives Caucus, which has gained significant traction in less than a year, held its monthly stakeholders’ meeting on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
According to Aregbesola, who provided insight into the meeting the same day, it brought together local government coordinators and selected political leaders across the state.
“At the meeting, I emphasized the importance of mobilizing grassroots politicians and leaders of thought to fortify our resolve to entrench good governance in our state,” the former two-term Governor of Osun State stated.
He added, “I urged all members to embody the spirit of resilience, dedication, love, and unity, which are the bedrock of every successful endeavor. I also reminded them of the need to fully align with our core ethos of discipline, courage, character, and competence.”
Launched on August 22, 2023, the political group, also known as “Omoluabi Tendency,” emerged amid a high-stakes power struggle between Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola, a key player in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oyetola, who was Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff, succeeded him as Governor of Osun State in 2018.
But unlike Aregbesola, who served two terms, Oyetola was limited to a single tenure of four years, largely due to his inability to secure re-election—a situation linked to his rivalry with his predecessor.
The development led to a full-blown political conflict, significantly reducing Aregbesola’s influence within the APC.
He launched Omoluabi Progressives in August 2023 as a caucus of “genuine foundation members of APC.”
However, the move led to the expulsion and suspension of many of his loyalists by the faction controlled by Oyetola and his supporters.
Rather than weaken the group, this emboldened the former minister and his supporters. They embarked on an aggressive awareness campaign and membership drive that has made them a significant force in Osun’s political landscape and a topic of discussion beyond the state.
Aregbesola expressed satisfaction with these developments, revealing, “I expressed great joy at the ongoing membership registration exercise, which has recorded remarkable growth. I encouraged everyone to continue inviting more people to join our ranks and strengthen our collective resolve.”
Although the APC in Osun State announced Aregbesola’s suspension from the party in October 2024 over alleged anti-party activities, widely believed to be tied to the rising profile of his Omoluabi Progressives, the former Minister has refused to dignify the action with any response.
