By: Josephine Olakanye, Lagos
A caucus within the All Progressives Congress known as The Osun Progressives (TOP) has announced the cessation of the group in order to harmonize its members on a rebuilding mission in Osun state.
Former Speaker of the Osun state House of Assembly and One of the foremost leaders of the group, Najeem Folasayo Salaam in a statement made in Osogbo on Tuesday said that the group is ready to jettison hostility within the party for genuine reconciliation.
He said, “The time to rebuild the APC in Osun State is now and our group are set for a genuine reconciliation.
“This is a call for unity of purpose in our party and beyond. It is a call for burying the hatchet and work for the greater good and service to humanity through progressive governance.”
Najeeb who was flanked by Chairman of TOP, Adelowo Adebiyi, continued by extending hands of fellowship to “everyone who is a progressive at heart and loves good governance in our party, in the other parties and independents who are hitherto not aligned to any party.
“With the sole objective of ensuring ‘FREEDOM FOR ALL AND LIFE MORE ABUNDANT’ for the people. Our party is the platform for OMOLUABI politicians not the theatre of absurdity for all comers, regardless of character.”
The dissolution of the group was officially announced in a statement signed by Najeem and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
The statement further reads, “I am here to announce the dissolution of factional tendencies of all shades in the party with the sole objective of harmonizing all core OMOLUABI PROGRESSIVES on a rebuilding mission that will bring us back to the leadership of our State and people.
“We are hereby dissolving The Osun Progressives (TOP) and the faction of Party associated with it to facilitate the unity of purpose that this time requires.”
The group, which is loyal to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola till they ceased to exist concluded by saying: “We are OMOLUABI in politics and everything we do. Omoluabi is the Yoruba encapsulation of the total person. An Omoluabi is a person of honour and integrity. An Omoluabi is chivalrous, enlightened, spiritual, kind-hearted and public spirited. An Omoluabi is not greedy, vicious, selfish or self-serving.”