APC Disqualifies Omisore, Six Others from Osun Governorship Primary over Nomination Breaches

Former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has been disqualified alongside six other aspirants from contesting the party’s governorship primary ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Others disqualified from the December 13 primary are Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Sen. Babajide Omoworare.

According to the Screening Committee report submitted to the APC National Working Committee in Abuja, the seven aspirants “failed to meet the mandatory nomination requirement of being sponsored by five fully registered and financially up-to-date members from each Local Government Area,” in violation of Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the 2025 Governorship Primary Guidelines.

The report, led by Chief Obinna Uzoh, Esq., cited gaps and irregularities in the nomination documents of the affected aspirants. It noted that none of them submitted adequate proof of sponsorship as required under party rules.

Meanwhile, the committee cleared two aspirants — Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji — to participate in the primary, stating that they “satisfactorily met all constitutional and guideline requirements.”

The committee said it adopted two screening processes: Document review, covering all forms, declarations, and attachments and Structured interviews, assessing aspirants’ knowledge of party rules, preparedness, and adherence to nomination standards.

This methodology, it said, “ensured a transparent, fair, and objective evaluation process.”

The report also confirmed receipt of a petition from the Osun APC Renewal Group, demanding the disqualification of all aspirants who failed to meet nomination requirements. The committee described the petition as “weighty, substantial, and relevant to the integrity of the screening process.”

It emphasized that the concerns raised “should not be applied selectively,” reaffirming that only two aspirants met the threshold for proper nomination.

Noting that the Osun APC remains deeply divided, the committee recommended establishing a robust reconciliation mechanism to reunite factions across the state.

To reduce marginalisation and promote inclusiveness, it further advised that the party ensure “political appointments, party offices, and campaign roles are evenly distributed across all zones, blocs, and interest groups within the State.”