Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has been disqualified alongside six other aspirants from contesting party’s governorship primary ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun State.
Others disqualified from contesting the APC governorship primary slated for December 13 are: Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Sen. Babajide Omoworare.
The disqualification followed the report submitted on Friday to the APC National Working Committee in Abuja by the Screening Committee, led by Chief Obinna Uzoh, Esq.
The report cited gaps and irregularities in nomination processes of Omisore and other disqualified aspirants.
It stated that the affected aspirants did not submit proof of sponsorship from at least five fully registered and financially current party members from each Local Government Area in Osun State, as stipulated by Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the party guidelines.
Meanwhile, the committee cleared Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji to participate in the primary election.
The report explained that the committee, in carrying out its assignment, adopted two screening processes: Examination of documents and materials, including thorough review of all forms, declarations, supporting materials, and attachments submitted by aspirants, and Structured interview session during which the Committee assessed aspirants knowledge of party rules, personal preparedness, adherence to nomination requirements, and overall suitability.
According to the committee, this methodology “ensured a transparent, fair, and objective evaluation process.”
Continuing, the report noted the receipt of a petition from the Osun APC Renewal Group calling for the disqualification of the two aspirants over failure to meet the mandatory nomination requirements set out in the APC Constitution and the party’s guidelines for the governorship primary.
The report stated: “Upon careful review, the Committee found the issues raised in the petition to be weighty, substantial, and relevant to the integrity of the screening process. In the interest of fairness, transparency, and uniform application of the Party’s rules, the Committee resolved that the concerns highlighted should not be applied selectively.
“The Committee found that two aspirants, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebanji, satisfactorily met all constitutional and guideline requirements of the APC, including proper nomination by the requisite number of fully registered, financially up-to-date party members from each Local Government Area.
“The Committee observed that seven aspirants—Sen. Iyiola Omisore, Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Mr. Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle, and Sen. Babajide Omoworare—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, contrary to Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution, as well as Paragraph 6(c) of the APC Guidelines for the 2025 Governorship Primary.”
While noting that the party in the state is deeply divided, the report recommended the establishement of a robust reconciliation mechanism to unify all factions and groups.
To foster broad inclusion and minimise feelings of marginalisation, the report also recommended that the party ensures “that political appointments, party offices, and campaign roles are evenly distributed across all zones, blocs, and interest groups within the State.”
