Members of the defunct The Osun Progressives (TOP), a political group loyal to former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, have returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared support for the party’s governorship candidate, Munirudeen Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
The group, now operating under the name Osun Progressives Ambassadors, announced its return to the APC in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its leader, Adeniran Ajala.
Ajala said the decision to rejoin the ruling party followed what he described as years of political miscalculations and internal reflection by members of the group.
According to him, the reintegration process into the mainstream APC was facilitated by Femi Oyetola, son of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
He explained that members initially aligned with TOP in the belief that the movement would strengthen the APC and correct perceived shortcomings within the party structure in Osun State.
However, Ajala noted that the group later realised that the platform had deviated from its original objectives and had become a tool for personal interests.
“We aligned with TOP with the hope of correcting grey areas and strengthening the party, but later discovered that the platform had become a vehicle for personal vendetta aimed at undermining the chances of the progressive family in the state,” the statement read.
The group pledged total support for the APC and vowed to work for the victory of Oyebamiji in the forthcoming governorship election as well as future electoral contests in the state.
Ajala commended the efforts of Femi Oyetola and his political team for facilitating the reconciliation process and ensuring the returning members were warmly received back into the party.
Speaking through his campaign Director-General, Kehinde Ayantunji, Femi Oyetola described the return of the former TOP members as a significant boost for the APC ahead of the governorship election.
He urged the returning members to remain committed to the party’s success, describing the forthcoming poll as a defining moment for the APC in Osun State.
Ayantunji also appealed to party members across wards and local governments in the state, particularly youths, to embrace the returning members and work together for the development of the state.
The statement further disclosed that the group was formally received by former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Oyetola, Rasak Adeosun; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bayo Adeleke; and Osun APC Youth Leader, Goke Akinwomimo, alongside other party stakeholders.
