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.

Former President, Muhammadu Buhari has called for transparency and accountability in the upcoming local government elections in Katsina State.

Speaking during the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting on Saturday at the Presidential Banquet Hall in the Katsina Government House, Buhari emphasized the importance of these principles in maintaining public trust and political relevance.

“Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of good governance and are fundamental to sustaining the confidence of the people,” Buhari said.

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Governor Dikko Radda also addressed party stakeholders at the meeting, urging them to mobilize support at the grassroots level and work towards securing a decisive victory for the APC.

“We are committed to conducting elections that reflect the true will of the people,” Radda stated, highlighting the party’s focus on ensuring transparent, inclusive, and democratic processes.

The governor also underscored Katsina’s political significance, referencing his leadership journey under Buhari’s administration and the recognition the state has received in the form of ministerial and federal appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s government.

In his opening remarks, APC Chairman in Katsina State, Sani Daura, described the caucus meeting as a platform to strengthen party unity and strategize for the elections. He commended Buhari and other stakeholders for their commitment to the party’s success.

Prominent political figures from Katsina, including Senators Abu Ibrahim, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Muntari Dandutse, and Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura, were present at the meeting, further underscoring its significance in the lead-up to the elections.

The APC leadership reiterated its commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring that the local government elections truly reflect the will of the people.

It was a plethora of pleasantries in Osogbo on Thursday, when Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke was named 2024 Governor of the year and endorsed for second tenure in office by the top management of the Leadership Newspaper.

The newspaper’s team was on a courtesy call on Gov Adeleke, Biztellers reports.

Receiving them at the Government House, Gov Adeleke noted that his administration had reduced the infra deficit by over 40 percent.

He added that his administration had also bridged access to primary health care, with an ambition to expand health access at medium and tertiary levels.

He said, “Osun State is constantly getting recognitions for what outsiders and even opposition members regard as our commendable performance.

“In the last one year, our government has been conferred with several awards across the sectors. Aside from reputable newspapers like the leadership stable, we have received accolades from several federal agencies and non-governmental bodies. The consensus from those reviewing our performance and service delivery is that we are true agents of good governance.

“In all these positive ratings, my response has always been to task my team to double their efforts. In the face of overwhelming positive reviews and high approval ratings, I am compelled to drive my team harder. When recently, some opposition figures confessed to our positive ratings, I still believe we have a lot of grounds to cover.

“I am not allowing the praises to enter my head. While it may be true that I have delivered a four-year task in under two years, I am propelled to do more because Osun has been left behind on many fronts. As I have reduced the infra deficit by over 40 percent, my real target Is higher. As I have bridged access to primary health care, my ambition is to also expand health access at medium and tertiary levels. While our records across the sectors are laudable as your newspaper has acknowledged, the ultimate goal is to accelerate infra upgrade alongside the boosting of soft investment for the well-being of our people.

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“I appreciate your candid endorsement of our performance. It is important to note that your yardstick for recognizing us correlates with similar reasons adduced by others. Our huge governance records are undeniable facts especially in workers’ welfare, infrastructure delivery, educational expansion, health care access improvement, solid mineral sector reforms, digital economy initiatives, agricultural mechanisation among others.

“I want to assure the public that our administration is not slowing down. Very soon, I will flag off ongoing remodeling of Osogbo stadium to assume international standard. Prior to the ongoing stadium project, we have engineered the creation of Osun Sport Commission and Osun Sport Fund through appropriate legal and policy framework.

“Very soon, I will be flagging off the dualisation of phase one of Odoori – Post office road at Iwo. The contractor for Iwo -Osogbo road has mobilized to site. We plan to complete the two projects within the life of this administration. Meanwhile, the dualisation project at Ilesa is progressing while the flyover bridge at Ile Ife is ongoing with appreciable progress. 2025 is billed to be a year of further expansion of good governance for the good of man and humanity.

On his part, the Vice Chairman of Leadership Group Mike Okpere, noted that the recognition is in order to give Gov Adeleke an insight and encouragement to do a second term.

“Your excellency you will see that, we didn’t just come down here, we had a meeting before the award and that is why we are here, so this trip is to notify you formally for this award and we personally invite you on the 8th of April at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Asokoro where this award will be handed on over to you.

“Our Reputable Person of the Year is Aliko Dangote, you all are aware of the investment he just concluded, by bringing fuel production into Nigeria, because of that and many other things, we chose him as our person of the year.

“Other person’s that would be sharing the merit are other governors that have touched people’s lives, among them is the Governor from Akwa Ibom State, the Governor of Enugu State, the Governor of Jigawa State and the Governor of Kano State.

“We didn’t call this Leadership Governor of the year, we call it Governor of the year, in other words, what we are saying is that, this recognition will give you an insight and encouragement to do a second term.

“As a newspaper company, we don’t endorse Governors but when we see something we say it, your Excellency sir, I therefore want to present this notification and official invitation”, he added.

Other members of the Leadership Newspaper team includes, Abraham Nda Isaiah, Director, Leadership Group, Ibidiran Ayokunle, Head Southern Operations, Joshua Dada, Osun State.