Politics
Aregbesola Led Faction Quits APC, Party Hits Back
The Omoluabi Progressives, a political group led by former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has announced its official exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing unjust treatment and leadership mismanagement within the party.
According to a statement, the group expressed dissatisfaction with the suspension, expulsion, and ostracization of its leaders without due process, which they say has worsened the APC’s standing in the state.
The group’s spokesperson, Oluwaseun Abosede, revealed that the decision to part ways with the APC was a collective one, ratified by members from across Osun State.
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The resolution followed a voice vote at the group’s monthly meeting held in Ilesa on Sunday, with members overwhelmingly supporting the shift ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Abosede emphasized that this decision reflects the growing frustration over the APC’s internal crisis and the party’s lackluster performance in the recent election cycle.
“The members were put to a voice vote by the leadership of the fold where they affirmed their readiness to switch allegiance to another political camp ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state,” Abosede said in her statement.
Former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, expressed his approval of the decision, commending the group’s unity and dedication to good governance.
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that Osun State achieves greater prosperity through responsible leadership.
“I am indeed happy that all of you have spoken with one voice. It is not just one voice but a united front to lead the way to our collective victory in the journey ahead,” Aregbesola stated.
“I wish to remind you that the journey we are embarking on now is to further raise the level of prosperity of our dear state through responsible leadership.”
Aregbesola also reassured the group that their ongoing efforts would soon bear fruit, positioning them to effectively challenge for power in the future.
“We are open to all, regardless of political, religious, or socio-cultural leanings. We have the numbers, strength, and political acumen to provide leadership that will make Osun the toast of its peers. By the grace of God, we shall succeed,” Aregbesola added.
However, the Osun State chapter of the APC has downplayed the announcement, dismissing the Omoluabi Progressives as political misfits with no real impact on the party.
In a scathing response, APC Spokesperson Chief Kola Olabisi ridiculed the group’s departure, stating that it was a long-anticipated move by members who had already distanced themselves from the party ahead of the 2022 governorship election.
“In fact, the preposterous announcement of the so-called Omoluabi Progressives to quit the APC is a good riddance to bad rubbish,” Olabisi remarked.
“How would any rational human being who has been suspended or expelled announce his resignation to the whole world again? Is that not an example of superfluity?”
Olabisi further accused the group of working against the APC’s interests and aligning themselves with opposition forces, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“We, in the Osun State APC, shall be happy to miss the political irritants and deviants who had since left the party by way of body and soul before the 2022 governorship election in the state,” Olabisi stated. “You cannot be saying you are in our party and be working against the interest of the same party.”
He also dismissed the Omoluabi Progressives’ political future, suggesting that their announcement was a signal of their impending political decline.
“The recent announcement of your either forming or joining another party is the imminent beginning of your political funeral which will end up in your final burial through the 2026 governorship election,” Olabisi concluded.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
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The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that the persistent crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state and supported by political stakeholders across Zamfara.
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According to the statement, Governor Lawal had remained committed to the PDP despite the ongoing leadership crisis and had made several efforts to reconcile factions within the party.
However, attempts to achieve peace and unity reportedly failed, leading to prolonged legal battles.
The development followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
The earlier judgment had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor was said to have informed political stakeholders during a series of meetings that he would make a final decision about his political future after the appellate court delivered its ruling.
Following the judgment, Lawal concluded that joining the APC would better position him to continue what he described as the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”
His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Zamfara State and could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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