The All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee has disqualified former APC National Secretary and ex-Osun State Deputy Governor, Iyiola Omisore, along with six other aspirants, from contesting in the party’s governorship primary scheduled for 13 December, citing gaps and irregularities in their nomination processes.
The committee’s report, obtained by our correspondent on Friday, emphasised the need for stakeholders to prioritise reconciliation to ensure party unity ahead of the election, noting that resolving internal disputes is essential for a credible primary.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier scheduled the Osun State governorship election for 8 August 2026.
The Screening Committee, chaired by Chief Obinna Uzoh, Esq., concluded its proceedings on 4 December and submitted its report to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja on Friday.
According to the report, the aspirants – Omisore, Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Senator Babajide Omoworare – failed to provide proof of sponsorship from at least five fully registered and financially up-to-date party members from each Local Government Area in Osun State, as mandated by Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the party guidelines.
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Only Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebanji were cleared to participate in the primary.
The report outlined the screening process, stating: “All forms, declarations, supporting materials, and attachments submitted by aspirants were thoroughly reviewed to verify authenticity and compliance with statutory and party requirements. Each aspirant also underwent a structured interview to assess knowledge of party rules, personal preparedness, adherence to nomination requirements, and overall suitability. This methodology ensured a transparent, fair, and objective evaluation process.”
The committee also noted a petition from the Osun APC Renewal Group, which had called for the disqualification of aspirants who allegedly failed to meet mandatory nomination requirements. Upon review, the committee found the concerns substantial and relevant to the integrity of the screening process.
The report further observed that the party’s structure in Osun State remains deeply divided, urging the national leadership to establish a robust reconciliation mechanism to unify all factions. It recommended equitable distribution of political appointments, party offices, and campaign roles across all zones and interest groups within the state to promote inclusivity.
The committee concluded by expressing gratitude to the NWC and APC leadership for entrusting them with the assignment and reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and credibility in the party’s processes.
