The All Progressives Congress (APC), governorship race in Osun State has taken a dramatic turn ahead of the party’s primary slated for December 13, 2025, with the APC Screening Committee disqualifying Iyiola Omisore and six other aspirants. The decision, announced Friday, cited gaps and irregularities in the nomination processes of the affected aspirants.
The screening committee, chaired by Chief Obinna Uzoh, Esq., concluded its exercise on December 4, 2025, and submitted its report to the APC National Working Committee (NWC), in Abuja. The report emphasized that resolving internal disputes is crucial to ensuring party unity and a credible primary.
Disqualified Aspirants and the Reasons
The aspirants barred from contesting include:
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Sen. Iyiola Omisore – former APC National Secretary and ex-Deputy Governor of Osun State
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Babatunde Haketer Oralusi
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Oyedotun Babayemi
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Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi
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Benedict Olugboyega Alabi
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Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle
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Sen. Babajide Omoworare
According to the committee, these aspirants failed to submit proof of sponsorship from at least five fully registered and financially current party members from each Local Government Area, as stipulated under Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the party guidelines.
The committee’s report also highlighted that the party structure in Osun State is “deeply divided,” recommending that the National Leadership establish a robust reconciliation mechanism to unify all factions ahead of the governorship election.
Cleared Aspirants
Only two aspirants met all screening requirements and were cleared to participate in the primary:
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Mulikat Abiola Jimoh
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Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji
The committee confirmed that both aspirants submitted valid sponsorship documents and satisfied all constitutional and party guideline requirements.
Screening Process
The committee detailed its methodology in the report:
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Document Examination – All forms, declarations, and attachments submitted by aspirants were reviewed for authenticity and compliance.
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Structured Interviews – Each aspirant underwent interviews to assess knowledge of party rules, preparedness, adherence to nomination requirements, and overall suitability.
The report stressed that the process was transparent, fair, and objective, ensuring uniform application of the party’s rules.
Petition and Its Impact
The committee received a petition from the Osun APC Renewal Group, requesting the disqualification of certain aspirants for failing to meet mandatory nomination requirements. Upon review, the committee found the issues “weighty, substantial, and relevant to the integrity of the screening process.” Consequently, the decision was applied consistently to all aspirants, rather than selectively.
Implications for the Osun Governorship Race
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The disqualification of heavyweight aspirants like Omisore reshapes the dynamics of the APC governorship contest.
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The party faces the challenge of maintaining unity and preventing factional disputes ahead of the Osun State governorship election set for August 8, 2026, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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The committee recommended that political appointments, party offices, and campaign roles be evenly distributed across all zones, blocs, and interest groups to foster inclusion and minimise feelings of marginalization.
The report concluded with a note of gratitude to the NWC and reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to fairness, credibility, and the principles that define the APC.
The stage is now set for a high-stakes primary on December 13, with only Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji officially in the running — while internal party tensions linger over the disqualifications.
