ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee has dramatically narrowed the Osun State governorship race, disqualifying heavyweight Senator Iyiola Omisore and six other aspirants for failing to meet key nomination rules, leaving only two candidates cleared for the December 13 primary.
The panel, chaired by Chief Obinna Uzoh, submitted its report to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) on Friday after screening nine contestants on December 4 at Amor Hotel, Katampe, Abuja.
Disqualified aspirants include:
– Sen. Iyiola Omisore (former Deputy Governor and APC National Secretary)
– Babatunde Haketer Oralusi
– Mr. Oyedotun Babayemi
– Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi
– Benedict Olugboyega Alabi (former Deputy Governor)
– Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle
– Sen. Babajide Omoworare
The committee cited violations of Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the 2025 Governorship Primary Guidelines. Specifically, the seven failed to provide proof of sponsorship by at least five fully registered, financially up-to-date party members from each of Osun’s 30 Local Government Areas.
Only Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji were cleared, having “satisfactorily met all constitutional and guideline requirements.”
The decision stemmed from a petition by the Osun APC Renewal Group alleging irregularities. To ensure fairness, the committee applied the same scrutiny to all candidates, upholding “internal party democracy.”
Uzoh stressed the ruling is subject to NWC ratification. However, sources say affected aspirants view it as “politically motivated” and are holding an emergency meeting to file appeals.
Omisore, a frontrunner in the August 8, 2026, election, and others like Alabi and Omoworare now face an uphill battle to overturn the disqualifications. Party insiders warn the mass cull could deepen Osun APC’s internal divisions ahead of the primary.
