Crisis looms In Osun ADC As Chairmen Accuse Omoluabi Faction Of Division, Secret Registration

Several local government chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun State have raised alarm over what they described as growing internal disruption allegedly caused by members of the Omoluabi faction loyal to former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

The chairmen accused the group of dividing the party, withholding registration materials, and attempting to sideline existing executives across the state.

Speaking with Journalists on Friday, they made the allegations during a coordinated appeal to the National Chairman of the party, David Mark, and the Osun State Chairman, Dr. Charles Idowu Omidiji, calling for urgent intervention to prevent what they fear could become a full-blown crisis.

Oluwatimilehin Onigbogi, Chairman of Ilesa East, said the Omoluabi group has refused to cooperate with the party structure in the state.

“Our national chairman, David Mark, should please look into this. The Omoluabi faction has split the party into two in Osun,” he said.

“They are trying to take the party away from us and destroy it. Even in Ilesa East, where Aregbe comes from. They are chasing personal interests, not party unity.”

From Ede North, Alabi Kehinde also appealed for intervention, alleging that the group is creating unnecessary tension within the party.

“We appeal to the national chairman and the state chairman. The people following Aregbe are disturbing our peace,” he said.

Chief Adebayo Babatunde, from Iwo Local Government, raised concerns over what he described as covert activities by the faction.

“The people who call themselves the Aregbesola Group are attempting to take the party away from us,” he said.

“They did not brief us about anything. The registration currently taking place is being done secretly, in closed rooms, without our knowledge. We do not know who they are registering.”

He added that the local government executives had not been carried along, saying:

“As an individual, I appeal to the national and state leadership. The Omoluabi faction is disturbing the peace of our party.”

The Chairman of ADC in Egbedore Local Government, Olawale Ojekale, accused the faction of hoarding registration materials and attempting to forcefully displace elected officers.

“All the Aregbesola people who call themselves Omoluabi have refused to join the party properly,” he said.

“They seized all the registration cards, and despite the ongoing exercise, they have refused to release them. They hide the cards in secret places and are now trying to impeach all the executives.”

Ojekale urged the party’s leadership to intervene swiftly to protect the integrity of the ADC in Osun State.

“We appeal to all our leaders, both state and national, to look into this situation and safeguard the structure of our party,” he said.

Group Publicity Secretary dismisses allegations, says ADC remains united

Reacting to the allegations of secret registration and internal division, the Organising and Publicity Secretary for the Omoluabi Progressives political group in Osun State, Oluwaseun Abosede, denied any crisis within the party, describing the claims as “mischievous” and unfounded.

Oluwaseun insisted that the ADC remains “one indivisible and united party,” saying those alleging internal division were not speaking for the party.

“There is no division within ADC. That one is clear, we are one indivisible and insoluble party.”

He referenced the party’s last meeting in Osogbo as evidence of unity.
“You saw the national secretary, the ADC chairman, the senator who is a leader, and almost all our party leaders standing together. So we do not have any issue,” he explained.

Addressing the accusation of secret registration, Oluwaseun clarified that the ongoing exercise is not being handled by state executives but by a national committee set up by the party’s headquarters.

“This registration is being conducted by an 11-man committee set up from the national headquarters,” he said.

“It is headed by Senator Sadiq Yar’adua, with Hon. Kamil, a former House of Representatives member from Oyo State, as head of the subcommittee in Osun. The secretary is Ambassador Akankuye.”

According to him, neither local government chairmen nor state executives were responsible for the registration process.
“It is this committee that is in charge of registration, not party chairmen, not executives. We are all abiding by the directives of the national headquarters,” he said.

Oluwaseun maintained that members who wish to register only need to visit their ward secretariat.
“Members are distributed across all wards. Just go to your ward secretariat and register. Why the noise?” he asked.

He dismissed the complaints as attempts to create confusion.
“If anybody is shouting that they were not allowed to register, such a person is just being mischievous or not aligned with the party’s united front,” he said.

Oluwaseun added that the party is currently focused on preparations for its December 10 primary election and other activities set by the national leadership.