The All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has petitioned the court to prevent the formation of a caucus within the party by Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior.
Aregbesola established the “Omoluabi” caucus within the APC in Osun state in August 2023.
According to the former minister, the caucus is not a faction. He said its members are “genuine foundation” members of the party.
Dissatisfied with the formation of the caucus, the party approached the federal high court in Osogbo with a suit filed on January 4.
APC joined Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rasheed Afolabi, and Lani Baderinwa, a former information commissioner in Osun, in the suit.
They argued that the formation of a political group within the APC using the party’s logo and slogan is a violation of the party’s and the nation’s constitutions.
The party claimed that Aregbesola lacked the constitutional authority to form a faction within the party and that the faction should be declared illegal.
APC asked the court to prevent Aregbesola and his supporters from forming any new political groups within the party.
The party also asked the court not to recognise or accept any convention or congress organised by Aregbesola and his faction.
The aggrieved party sought “general damages of N5m jointly or severally against the 2nd-4th defendants in favour of the plaintiff”.
The suit reads:
“That 2nd-4th Defendants cannot launch a parallel political or a factional political group or association similar or in the same name of the plaintiff, to be holding a political meeting with the logo, symbol and slogan of the plaintiff without registration with the 1st Defendant.”
“In compliance with the provisions of sections 221 and 222 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and provisions of sections 75(1)(2)(3) and 79(1)(2)(a)(b)(c) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from attending or recognising or accepting any congress or convention held or to be held by the 2nd-4th Defendants and any other persons associating with them in their factional and parallel political group or association.
“To inaugurate or constitute the Executive Council or Committee of the Plaintiff at any level or nominating candidates for any elective positions under the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in the name or on the platform of the plaintiff.”