APC screening panel bars Omisore, six aspirants from Osun guber primary over nomination breaches

The All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee has barred Iyiola Omisore, former national secretary of the party, and six other aspirants from contesting the Osun governorship primary scheduled for December 13.

The committee said the disqualification follows gaps and irregularities contained in the aspirants’ nomination documents.

The panel’s report advised stakeholders in the state to prioritise reconciliation to strengthen party unity ahead of the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Osun state governorship poll for August 8, 2026.

The screening committee, chaired by Obinna Uzoh, concluded its sittings on Thursday and transmitted its report to the APC national working committee (NWC) in Abuja on Friday.

The panel said the seven disqualified aspirants, Omisore, Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Babajide Omoworare, did not present proof of sponsorship by at least five fully registered and financially up-to-date party members from each LGA as required by the APC constitution and guidelines.

The committee approved only Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji to participate in the primary election.

“In carrying out its assignment, the committee adopted the following screening process,” the report reads.

“Examination of documents and materials: All forms, declarations, supporting materials, and attachments submitted by aspirants were thoroughly reviewed to verify their authenticity and compliance with statutory and party requirements.

“Each aspirant underwent a structured interview session during which the committee assessed their knowledge of party rules, personal preparedness, adherence to nomination requirements, and overall suitability.”

The report described the process as “transparent, fair, and objective.”

The panel said it received a petition from the Osun APC Renewal Group seeking the disqualification of two aspirants who allegedly failed to satisfy nomination rules.

It said the issues raised in the petition were “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 concerns highlighted should not be applied selectively,” the committee said.

According to the committee, Jimoh and Oyebamiji met all constitutional requirements, including nomination by the requisite number of party members across all LGAs.

It added that the seven other aspirants “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.”

The committee noted that the party structure in Osun remains deeply divided.

It recommended that the national leadership establish a “robust reconciliation mechanism” to unite all factions ahead of the primary.

It said political appointments, party offices, and campaign roles should be evenly distributed across all zones and blocs to minimise grievances.