The Omoluabi Progressives Caucus of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State has claimed that the former Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, is facing a threat to his life.
The group was formed in August 2023 in Ilesa, Osun State, with Aregbesola becoming its grand patron.
However, the state leadership of the party has instructed its members not to engage with the caucus, maintaining that the group is not part of the APC family in the state.
The relationship between Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola, who took over from him as governor in 2018, turned sour shortly after Oyetola assumed office.
The conflict escalated in 2022 when Oyetola, who was seeking re-election, did not receive Aregbesola's support.
The former interior minister expressed his support for Mr. Moshood Adeoti, who served in his cabinet when he was Osun State Governor as the Secretary to the State Government.
A statement signed by the caucus' Organising and Publicity Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, obtained on Monday, insisted that there is a clear threat to Aregbesola's life and freedom, citing an article written by Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola's media aide.
The group stated that the threat to Aregbesola's life cannot be ignored given the prior attacks on him and his supporters.
The caucus cited Omipidan as saying, “Yet with the feeling of self-importance, he continues to wage war against the structure which brought him into the limelight. But let me say for the umpteenth time that if Aregbesola continues his political war against the party and persons that brought him to political reckoning, he may not survive it.”
It subsequently urged security agencies in the state to investigate Omipidan’s statement and prevent any attempt on Aregbesola’s life.
The statement read, “An article came out recently from Ismail Omipidan, the media aide to Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun State, titled ‘What does Aregbesola want from Oyetola?’
“We urgently draw the attention of the law enforcement agencies and all responsible individuals to the evident and explicit threats against the life and freedom of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, clearly expressed in this hostile narrative.”
“Omipidan’s assertions reveal a deeper and more sinister conspiracy and subterfuge by his sponsors. For context, Omipidan and his sponsors are not only playing God, which they are grossly incompetent and unqualified to do, but they are certainly hatching a very dangerous, sinister, and diabolical plan against Aregbesola, which must not be overlooked.”
However, Omipidan dismissed the statement by the Omoluabi Caucus, linking him to an alleged threat to Aregbesola’s life as malicious and unguarded.
Omipidan, who said he has no history of political violence, said, “Only an unstable mind and character would accuse a person of my standing, who in the last two decades has no any record of political violence of an alleged threat to the life of a former governor, a former minister.
“As a journalist, my history of working in all the states where I have practiced is well known. Those accusing me are simply trying to portray me as something I'm not. They know who uses illegal methods to deal harshly with opponents.
“If this plan is meant to stop me from taking legal action against Osun Defender and its reporters for lying about me, it won't work. I will take legal action. It will be a long fight, but I am ready for it.
“In conclusion, I urge security forces to be alert because my accusers might be the ones planning something harmful against themselves and are just seeking an excuse.”