The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dropped its former National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and six other aspirants from the party’s governorship primary in Osun State ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
The development followed the conclusion of the screening exercise conducted by the party’s Screening Committee led by Chief Obinna Uzoh, Esq.
The panel completed its assignment on December 4, 2025, at Amor Hotel, Katampe, Abuja, and cited failure to meet essential nomination requirements as the reason for the disqualification.
According to the committee, the affected aspirants, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Senator Babajide Omoworare, did not provide the statutory evidence of sponsorship by at least five fully registered and financially up-to-date members from each Local Government Area in Osun.
The requirement is outlined in Articles 9.3(i), 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the party’s guidelines.
Only two aspirants, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, scaled the screening hurdle and were certified eligible for the primary.
The committee explained that its decision was triggered by a petition filed by the Osun APC Renewal Group, which raised concerns over irregularities in the nomination processes of some aspirants.
To avoid accusations of selective enforcement, all nine aspirants were subjected to the same degree of scrutiny, resulting in the mass disqualification.
The development has sparked unrest within the Osun APC, with associates of the disqualified aspirants describing the outcome as a “politically motivated” attempt to predetermine the contest. They vowed to challenge the process.
Party insiders confirmed that an emergency meeting of the affected aspirants is ongoing, with indications that formal appeals will be lodged before the National Working Committee (NWC).
The APC governorship primary is scheduled for December 13, 2025.
The eventual flagbearer is expected to face Governor Ademola Adeleke, who recently dumped the PDP and is seeking a new party platform as preparations for the 2026 governorship election gather pace.
