APC groups in Lagos dissolved as Tinubu-Aregbesola cold war worsens

All political groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos have been dissolved.

The Mandate Group and the Justice Group, the two most powerful groups, will no longer exist, according to the communique issued by the party leaders in the state after a meeting on Tuesday.

Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the APC, and Rauf Aregbesola, his associate, have been in a cold war, we can report.

Aregbesola was accused of re-launching political groups in the state without the knowledge of Tinubu, who is regarded as the political leader.

There are insinuations that Aregbesola, former governor of Osun state, is interested in running for president in 2023 — an ambition that may pit him against his former boss who is also believed to be warming up.

The Mandate Group, made up of Tinubu’s core loyalists, was relaunched by Aregbesola on May 26, 2020 but reports have it that the former Lagos governor was not in the picture.

Abdullahi Enilolobo, the APC organising secretary in the state, was picked as the new chairman to replace James Odunmbaku, who moved up as the “apex leader”.

Aregbesola was made the grand patron at the meeting which took place at his Ikeja GRA residence.

The rug has now been pulled off his feet with the latest development.

‘APC IS ONE GROUP, ONE FAMILY’

In the communique signed by 27 party chieftains who are members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), they said “it was unequivocally resolved that all factions like JG and MG are inimical to party unity and are hereby permanently disbanded and prohibited within the party.

“Party members should no longer make use of these factions or their names with regard to future party business and activities. To continue to hold meetings in the name of these groups or to continue to promote such associations will amount to a violation of this resolution.

“The only permitted use of the names will be limited to historic references. Any violation of this decision is subject to party discipline, including suspension and expulsion. This prohibition extends solely to official party business. We are in no way trying to abridge anyone’s constitutional rights to free speech or assembly. The party chairman is hereby tasked with promulgating more detailed regulations with regard to prohibited and permissible activities for sub-party groupings.

“The party remains supreme. It has developed structures from the ward level to local government and state levels. These are recognized by the party’s constitution. They are adequate platforms for members to congregate and to present their views.

“The APC in Lagos is one party and one family. We must always act in this spirit if we are to attain the dream of democratic prosperity that we set out to achieve. We must do this in honor of June 12 and those who gave of themselves to make democracy our reality.”

Signatories to the communique include Tinubu, Babajide Sanwoolu, the state governor, Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and Babatunde Raji Fashola, both former governors.

Others are: Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, Henry Oladele Ajomale, Bushura Alebiosu, Abiodun Ogunleye, Murphy Adetoro, James Odunmbaku, Tony Adefuye, S.A. Seriki, Olorunfunmi Bashorun, Rabiu Oluwa, M.A. Taiwo, Mutiu Lawal Are, Yomi Finnih, Muyiwa Sosanya, Tunde Samuel, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Rasak Lanre, Mudashiru Adisa Obasa (speaker), Babatunde Balogun, Wale Edun, Ranti Adebule and Kemi Nelson.

A dependable party chieftain who is a member of the governing council and one of the signatories to the new development however told First Weekly Magazine when contacted that the new development has nothing to do with any crisis. “I was at the meeting. Some people are just creating unnecessary sensations. The groupings will destroy our cohesion if not quickly addressed It’s not about any cold war. We are one in lagos “

Additional report from Cable NG