APC disqualifies Omisore, Six others, clears two for 2026 Osun governorship primary

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified its former National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, alongside six other governorship aspirants from contesting the party’s 2026 governorship primary in Osun State.

According to the party, the affected aspirants failed to meet key constitutional and guideline requirements, including proper nomination by the stipulated number of fully registered and financially up-to-date party members.

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Their disqualification was contained in the report of the seven-member Screening Committee, led by Chief Obinna Uzoh, for the Osun State Governorship Primary Election, signed on Friday in Abuja.

Those disqualified include Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Mr. Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Adekunle, and Senator Babajide Omoworare, in addition to Senator Omisore.

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Only two aspirants — Munirudeen Bola Oyebanji and Mulikat Abiola Jimoh — scaled through the screening and were cleared to participate in the primary election.

In its report, the committee stated, “Consideration of Petition Received by the Committee, the Committee received a petition from Osun APC Renewal Group, urging the disqualification of the two aspirants who were identified as falling short of the mandatory nominator requirements prescribed under the APC Constitution and the Party’s Guidelines for the Governorship Primary.

“Upon careful review, the Committee found the issues raised in the petition to be weighty, substantial, and germane 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.

“Accordingly, the Committee extended the same scrutiny to all nine (9) aspirants, ensuring that every sponsor (nominator) of an aspirant was assessed on the basis of compliance with Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and paragraph 6(c) of the Guidelines. This approach guaranteed a level playing field and upheld the principles of internal party democracy.”

On the outcome of the screening, the committee added, “The Committee found that two (2) 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 (7) 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 (5) 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.”

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